• Premier League

Sherwood: Eriksen married to the game

Tim Sherwood says Christian Eriksen dedicates his life to football © PA Photos

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Tottenham Hotspur head coach Tim Sherwood has praised in-form Christian Eriksen.

While the majority of Tottenham's seven signings from last summer have struggled to find their feet in the Premier League, Sherwood believes Eriksen, who signed for the club from Ajax last summer and recently admitted he wants to stay at White Hart Lane, will be an asset to the club going forward.

"I think Christian's been excellent for the club," Sherwood said. "He's improving and he'll continue to improve, he's still such a young man at 22 years of age.

"He assists goals, he scores goals, he really does affect the match, but that's not something that just happens. It's because he's a fantastic trainer, he dedicates his life to football. You're never going to see a problem with Christian outside of football, he's totally married to the game and it shows when he's on the field."

Sherwood: I enjoy the pressure

• Tottenham head coach Tim Sherwood says he has "got the bug" to be a full-time manager, even if he is not afforded the chance to realise that ambition in his present job next season.
• "It's something that's inbred in me. I'm a winner and I will make myself ill before I don't succeed. That's the drive that I've always had," Sherwood said.
• Read the full story here

Sherwood's confirmation that Erik Lamela, Etienne Capoue and Roberto Soldado will all miss Saturday's trip to West Bromwich Albion serves as a reminder of the less successful acquisitions of their summer of spending.

Even though Spurs' hopes of a top-four finish in the Premier League are slim, Sherwood is sure his side still have plenty to play for this season.

"I always make it clear to the boys that anyone else's need can be no greater than our own," he said. "We have five cup finals left. I think we can take maximum points from the remaining games.

"We are focused. I think people sometimes think come World Cup year that some guys will take a rest before that, but one player, Nacer Chadli, for instance, has really come to the front in recent weeks and shows he wants to go to the World Cup in good form.

"This will be a tough game at West Brom. I was in charge when they got a draw at the Lane. They have got good players and can be a threat, but if we play anything like we can, get the rub of the green and get some decisions going our way, we match their endeavour and their desire, we'll win the game. Simple as that."

Tottenham defenders Jan Vertonghen and Kyle Walker will also miss the trip to the Hawthorns, but Sherwood is confident that latter will be fit in time to take his place in England's World Cup squad next summer if selected.

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