Pompey are eyeing up a move for the Southampton winger, who is out of contract in the summer.

Cranie knows all about the 20-year-old, having come through the ranks alongside him at St Mary's before moving to Fratton Park last summer.

Now Dyer could follow him down the M27, although Reading are also interested.

Regardless, Pompey's England under-21 defender is confident his friend possesses the ability to be a top-flight smash.

Cranie said: 'I was with Nathan at Southampton and he's a very good player.

'Over the years a lot of people have compared him to Shaun Wright-Phillips. I think he plays exactly the same if you look at it.

'He's a right winger who's direct, very quick and has got the ability to beat a player, and his crossing has improved a lot.

'He's got absolutely everything.

'He would be a very good acquisition to any Premier League squad to be honest.

'It's just about a club giving him the chance to show what he can do.

'I think everyone needs to be given a couple of games to settle just to get used to it. Obviously, it's a lot different to playing in the Championship.

'But if Nathan gets into the Premier League, he can do very well.
'If you look at the top flight, most of the strikers have got pace – that's what he's got as well.

'It's not up to me. I can't tell the club who to sign, but I think he could do well in the Premier League.'

Cranie has made just three appearances since his St Mary's move after breaking his leg.

But he would still advise the move.

He added: 'I think if Nathan comes down here and trains with the players, you can only learn and play better.

'It's done me a lot of good.'