Sheringham reveals shame over Cup exit

TOTTENHAM striker Teddy Sheringham has admitted the depth of embarrassment at the club following their FA Cup exit at the hands of Southampton last weekend.

However, Sheringham insisted the players are determined to make amends for their 4-0 loss, starting this weekend against an Everton side also smarting from their own FA Cup defeat by Shrewsbury.

"The lads are embarrassed about the scoreline," he said.

"You can go out of the FA Cup through a little misjudgement or being unlucky, but when you've been beaten 4-0 it's embarrassing and something we want to put right."

Spurs boss Glenn Hoddle was at least relieved that Gary Doherty, Matthew Etherington and Anthony Gardner all returned to action for the reserves last night.

Doherty lasted the full 90 minutes and scored in the 2-0 win against Wimbledon following his substitute's appearance in the FA Cup third round defeat at St Mary's stadium.

He added on the club's website, www.spurs.co.uk: "The disappointing thing is that we're out of both cups now. We've got to start improving our league form and hopefully we can qualify that way.

"Southampton was a real thumping, so we've got to start again against Everton and see how things pan out."

Winger Etherington made his comeback at Kingsmeadow after an ankle injury which has sidelined him since mid-November and lasted for 70 minutes as he set up the goals for Tim Sherwood and Doherty.

Centre-back Gardner, meanwhile, played the full match as he returned after a knee injury which has kept him out of action since the 3-2 win against West Ham in September.