Mikolanda joins 'hero' Sheringham in West Ham front line

The 39-year-old former England striker, who will turn 40 before the end of the campaign, said: "While I can still do it, I will. I am not thinking of stopping yet. Why am I playing on? Probably because I don't fancy having grey hair just yet.

"I enjoy it, but as soon as you come out of playing it is a stressful time. People ask me if I will be a manager or coach and that is possible in time, but not now. It is too stressful. Our manager Alan Pardew is coping very well, but I don't want what he has got - not yet."

Sheringham won a Champions' League with Manchester United and enjoyed spells at Tottenham Hotspur, Nottingham Forest, Millwall and Portsmouth - and he is confident of keeping West Ham in the top flight.

Mikolanda is eager to play with Sheringham, one of his heroes growing up. He said: "Teddy Sheringham was my hero. I remember watching his goal against Bayern Munich in the Champions' League final. I never dreamt that I would meet him, let alone be training alongside him."