Teddy puts club first

Sheringham's priority is to get fit for Spurs

Tottenham's Teddy Sheringham has put all thoughts of England behind him as he attempts to be ready for Saturday's Premiership opener against Aston Villa.

England meet Holland at White Hart Lane on Wednesday and although Sheringham would have loved to have been a part of it on his own ground, the priority is to get fit for his club.

The double player of the year would most likely have been part of Sven Goran Eriksson's squad but for a nagging Achilles problem.

"It would have been nice to have been involved with England but my main priority at the moment is to play for Tottenham," he told the official Spurs website.

Injury warning

When England last played Holland, the 4-1 win at Euro 96 under Terry Venables, Sheringham was among the scorers.

But his mind is now firmly on making a success of his second stint at White Hart Lane after a hugely rewarding time at Manchester United.

To do that, he has first to get over his current problem. "I feel a lot better, a lot more comfortable," he said.

"I'm still optimistic of being ready for the start of the season but I've not jogged on it yet.

"And they say with an Achilles you have to be very careful because if it comes up again I could be out for or five weeks."