My Teddy boys will tick, says Pardew

Alan Pardew believes Teddy Sheringham can play a key role in helping West Ham win back their Premiership status.

The West Ham manager is convinced that the experience of the 38-year-old former England striker will be vital.

He said: "He's a proven goalscorer at all levels and he will be a massive influence on the younger players, especially the strikers Marlon Harewood and Bobby Zamora who will benefit enormously from his presence."

Sheringham, who has signed a one-year contract, was born in Highams Park and insists it is an honour to join the club he once watched from the terraces. "I was a Hammers fan as a youngster and stood on the old North Bank with my big brother watching the likes of Alan Devonshire, Ray Stewart, Billy Jennings and Graham Paddon," said Sheringham who began his career at Millwall in

"To get the opportunity to play for this great club after all these years is an honour and I'm sure I will enjoy helping the team achieve their goal of promotion to the Premiership."

Sheringham rejected the chance to extend his stay at Portsmouth because West Ham offered him regular first-team football. He also turned down Coventry City and West Brom.

The former Nottingham Forest, Tottenham and Manchester United striker, who won 51 England caps, has also accepted a substantial pay cut to drop out of the top flight.

Meanwhile, West Ham's Swedish tour continues against GIF Sundsvall tonight.