PETER Crouch has praised ‘top man’ Sean Dyche for helping him come to terms with retirement but admitted he felt like a ‘head on a stick’ in the final seasons of his career.

The former England international joined Burnley from Stoke City last January - with Sam Vokes travelling in the opposition direction - but only played in a handful of games during his spell in East Lancashire.

The 38-year-old made six appearances for the Clarets, all off the bench as a late replacement. He called time on his career in the summer having made more than 500 appearances and scoring over 200 league and cup goals.

The former Liverpool, Spurs and Portsmouth striker revealed he remains in touch with Dyche.

“He has a tough exterior, but I’ve found him to be such a top man,” said Crouch who scored 22 times in 44 appearances for England. “I still speak to him now because I shared something with him.

“I was going through a tough time with the retirement and he was first class with me. I can’t thank him enough.”

Crouch made his Burnley debut against his former club Southampton in February, coming on in the 76th minute and winning a last-minute penalty - scored by Ashley Barnes - in a 1-1 draw at Turf Moor.

But it was the only game he avoided defeat in in a Clarets shirt as he featured in cameo roles in losses to Newcastle, Crystal Palace, Liverpool, Leicester and Arsenal which proved to be the last match of his career.

The popular frontman, who has since forged a successful media career, revealed he felt fit enough to carry on playing but became unhappy and felt ‘degraded’ with the way he was being utilised. "I felt physically fit whereas a lot of players just can’t go anymore,” he said. “I felt like I could do another season fitness-wise.

“I just felt a little bit degraded. I felt like I was becoming the stereotype that I always tried to avoid.

He added: “The last 10-15 minutes, we’re launching it up to me. I’m flicking it on, nicking a goal here and there.

"I knew I could’ve done it for possibly two more seasons, but I felt degraded by it. I literally became a head on a stick.

"I felt I was a little better than that.’

Episode one of the new series of That Peter Crouch Podcast is now available via BBC Sounds and BBC Radio 5 Live