Crouch wants Pompey decisions

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Property billionaire Dr Sulaiman Al Fahim is close to taking over at the south coast club with due diligence set to be completed next month. But Portsmouth had to issue a statement on Saturday denying former Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra is involved in the deal.

"There are 15 players out of contract at the end of the season - no one knows who the manager is, we don't even know who the owner is to be honest. So anyone who is at the club wants reassurances about what is going to happen in the summer," the England striker said in the News of the World. "And I'll certainly be asking. I need to find out."

The position of Paul Hart, the caretaker manager of the second half of last season, is uncertain, while right-back Glen Johnson could be the latest big-name player to leave the club.

Crouch added: "I'm really disappointed to be honest. We had Harry Redknapp, Jermain Defoe and Lassana Diarra were there, we were in Europe and there were ambitions for the club really going forward. Instead it has taken a backward step.

"I've got to look at it in the summer. We need some players, without a doubt.

"That's plain for everyone to see. Everybody who is a Portsmouth player wants to find out what is going on. Hopefully, things can turn around with prospective new owners. We need to strengthen the side. But I've no idea about the new owners."

Crouch admitted his hopes of playing for England at next year's World Cup depended on him having a successful domestic season.

He said: "If I'm going to have a chance of playing for England, I need to be playing well.

"What I don't need is to be fighting relegation."