Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp is keen to partner Jermain Defoe with his England team-mate Peter Crouch at Fratton Park next season.Liverpool's gangly goal-getter Crouch is growing increasingly restless at the limited opportunities he is afforded at Anfield, and looks set to depart for pastures new this summer.

Crouch also has prior experience of life at Fratton Park, albeit less than a season, after he enjoyed a goal-laden spell with Pompey in 2001/02.

His ambitions of playing regular first-team football would be matched under Redknapp, while his potential new strike partner admits that he would welcome the opportunity to link up with his international colleague.

"It would be great if Crouchie came," said Defoe. "He is still under contract at Liverpool but we will see.

"I think we can go far next season but we do need a bigger squad."

Having claimed the 2008 FA Cup, Pompey will be making their first foray into the UEFA Cup next season.

Redknapp is well aware that he needs to boost his attacking options before then and should he miss out on Crouch, is likely to turn his attentions to another England international, Wigan's Emile Heskey.

Latics may be tempted to part company with the powerful forward should they land Egyptian star Amr Zaki as a replacement.

More Football News from TEAMtalk