Teddy Sheringham celebrates his 40th birthday today and is
hoping to mark the occasion simply by winning a place in the
starting line-up against Charlton Athletic.
The Hammers striker will become only the second outfield player - after Gordon Strachan - to play Premiership football at the age of 40 if he takes to the field this afternoon and he admits there is only one wish that interests him.
"The perfect birthday present for me would just be to play against Charlton," he says. "My desire is exactly the same as it was 20 years ago and the most important thing to me is playing football."
"The fact that I am 40 isn't an issue in terms of my position here at West Ham. I'm like every other player in that I don't like being a substitute and I want to play as much as I can.
"Obviously I accept that I wouldn't be able to play every week at this stage of my career, but I'm certainly fresh and fit at the moment, and the fact that I am 40 today doesn't really come into it - I'll just be hoping to play and score against Charlton."
*Look out for a full and exclusive interview with Teddy, coming soon on whufc.com
The Hammers striker will become only the second outfield player - after Gordon Strachan - to play Premiership football at the age of 40 if he takes to the field this afternoon and he admits there is only one wish that interests him.
"The perfect birthday present for me would just be to play against Charlton," he says. "My desire is exactly the same as it was 20 years ago and the most important thing to me is playing football."
"The fact that I am 40 isn't an issue in terms of my position here at West Ham. I'm like every other player in that I don't like being a substitute and I want to play as much as I can.
"Obviously I accept that I wouldn't be able to play every week at this stage of my career, but I'm certainly fresh and fit at the moment, and the fact that I am 40 today doesn't really come into it - I'll just be hoping to play and score against Charlton."
*Look out for a full and exclusive interview with Teddy, coming soon on whufc.com