Martin Jol is set to raid his former club Tottenham for Peter Crouch, the Metro understands.

The Fulham boss wants to strengthen his frontline and has earmarked Crouch as the man to wear the number nine shirt at Craven Cottage.

He already has Bobby Zamora and Andrew Johnson battling for a starting spot but is keen to add more competition up front.

Jol wasn’t pleased with his team’s reliance on the long ball up to Zamora in Saturday’s 0-0 draw against Aston Vila and is also reluctant to play Clint Dempsey up front.

The Dutchman said: “I feel there is more to come from Zamora and Johnson but – we played too many long balls to Bobby.

“I’d like to add a few things going forward. We saw on Saturday (against Aston Villa) if we swap our No.9 I have to put Clint Dempsey there and I don’t want to do that.”

“That’s why we will try to do something in the transfer window.”

Crouch is surplus to requirements at White Hart Lane with boss Harry Redknapp keen to move him on to make room for a new striker.

He’s also been linked with a move to Stoke but a chance to stay in London is likely to appeal more to the England forward.