Kranjcar: I'm no Modric replacement

Modric is set to endure around six weeks on the sidelines after breaking a bone in his leg during the 2-1 victory against Birmingham City last weekend.

And manager Harry Redknapp wasted no time in bolstering his midfield ranks following the setback, splashing out around £2 million on Croatian international Kranjcar; the third Portsmouth player he has signed since leaving the club last Autumn having already recruited both Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch.

But the 25-year-old is adament that he wants to play alongside his international colleague once he returns from injury, not just fill in for him during his absence.

"I don't feel like a sub for Modric," he said in The Sun.

"I came to play alongside him in the first team. We've proved we can play together in the Croatia team."

And the former Hadjuk Split playmaker, who has seen the majority of the 2008 FA Cup winning side leave the club since Redknapp's departure - including Sol Campbell, Sylvain Distin, Glen Johnson and Lassana Diarra - added that he felt no guilt for becoming the latest name to be added to that list.

"I'm not sorry to leave," he said.

"They've sold almost everyone due to the financial situation."