Crouch’s delight at being back in Europe

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The £11million striker, who played in a Champions League final for Liverpool and enjoyed plenty of overseas experience with the Anfield club, is treating Pompey's first UEFA Cup adventure as a huge bonus.

Before tonight's first-round tie against Portugal's Vitoria Guimaraes, which Pompey lead 2-0 from the first leg, Crouch confirms: "It is not the most exciting thing for players waiting around without much to do until kick-off time.

"After training, all you can do is rest up, watch a bit of Portuguese television or whatever and just make sure you eat and drink the right things to be ready for a late start.

"But you go through it because it's very important for the club and the players at this level to be involved in Europe, and we are hoping for a long run in this competition."

Papa Bouba Diop (hamstring) and John Utaka (knee) are still out for Pompey, who have sold 2,500 tickets to travelling fans.