Soccer: Teddy ready for 90-minute action

The return - Mattie Etherington is looking forward to going back to his former club Picture: LUAN MARSHALL

The former Millwall and Spurs man is in line for his first run-out in Claret and Blue tomorrow afternoon at Peterborough United.

And the 38-year-old hit back at suggestions that he no longer has the legs to cope with the hurly-burly of life outside the Premiership.

"I do see myself as a 90 minute player," he said. "You will have to ask the manager what he wants, but I feel fit and able and ready to play in all our games.

"I'm not setting myself any targets, I just want to go out and play.

"I'll be trying to score in my first game and taking it from there."

Having played for two of West Ham's biggest rivals -- Millwall and Spurs -- Sheringham's arrival has not been greeted with universal approval, but he is confident he can win over the fans.

"All the fans want to see someone giving 100 percent and turn out good performances," he said. "I know all about that.

"You have to win the fans over however you come to the club and whichever club you are playing for."

Sheringham has met his new colleagues for the first time this week following the first team's return from the tour of Sweden and he will be in contention for a run-out when Alan Pardew's side take their first steps on English soil at London Road tomorrow.

And among the familiar faces was Roger Cross, who coached him at the Den and at White Hart Lane.

"I know Roger well and we had some great sessions together," he added. "He used to arrange extra sessions for the strikers at Millwall, then he came to Tottenham when I was there.

"I'm looking forward to working with him again now we're together again at West Ham."

Saturday will also be a big day for one of Sheringham's former Spurs team-mates as Mattie Etherington goes back to the club where he began his career.

More on West Ham United atthe official site

Published Friday July 23, 2004

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