Teddy's Warning

Teddy Sheringham says he fully expects West Ham to gain promotion this season - but warns that no side has a "divine right" to go up.

Teddy, who is currently training at West Ham as he awaits the return of his team mates from their short tour of Sweden, knows that expectancy is high for the upcoming campaign, and says:

"There is a lot of home grown talent at the club and I am fully expecting West Ham to get up the league.

"There is no divine right to but I fully expect us to be there or thereabouts."

Teddy laughs off the somewhat fanciful notion that, having played for London rivals Millwall and Tottenham, not to mention Manchester United, there will be a reaction from Hammers' fans - of whom he is one himself.

"I hope the fans will understand that I used to be a West Ham supporter when I was a kid of eight and I first started watching football," he smiles.

"I stood on the North Bank watching the likes of Billy Jennings, Frank Lampard, Phil Parkes, and Ray Stewart so there is a little bit of West Ham in me - and I did pay to get in!

"I know probably more about West Ham's traditions than I do about any other club; I am looking forward to playing for them, they deserve to be in the Premier League, and hopefully we will get back there.

"It is great that I have got the chance to play football for West Ham; I have been to a lot of places to play football and it just so happens I have played for a lot of West Ham's rivals - but I want to do my best at Upton Park."

He is familiar with most of the squad by reputation and one or two of the players personally.

"I know Matthew Etherington, and I have met Michael Carrick when I have been with the England squad," he says. He is aware, too, that there will be competition for places up front.

"I have not come here to watch; I want to play but I am sure Bobby Zamora and Marlon Harewood do as well - so we will just have to see what happens," he concludes.