Former England Under-21 player Cranie joined City in August

Coventry City defender Martin Cranie is full of sympathy for his former colleagues at Portsmouth.

The full-back, 23, joined City from Pompey during the summer and has seen his old club fail to pay their players on time three times this season.

Cranie told BBC Coventry & Warwickshire: "I know a few of the lads and I think they're finding it difficult as a club at the minute.

"I enjoyed my time at the club and hopefully they can get out of that."

Portsmouth players and staff were not paid at the end of last month although it is understood that the matter is likely to be resolved this week.

Hopefully our fans can get behind us and we can come out on top Martin Cranie on the FA Cup replay with Pompey

Coventry took Pompey to a replay in the third round of the FA Cup on Saturday.

Right-footed Cranie filled in at left-back for the tie and is confident of completing the job at the Ricoh Arena.

"It would be good for us to take a scalp this early in the FA Cup," he said.

"It's going to be a tough game again. They're going to come up looking to win. Hopefully our fans can get behind us and we can come out on top."

The winners will be at home to Sunderland in the fourth round.

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