Teddy impressed by Zamora's character

Teddy Sheringham today hailed West Ham promotion hero Bobby Zamora for showing the strength of character to turn around his season.

Zamora scored the only goal in yesterday’s win over Preston in the Coca-Cola Championship play-off final to earn the Hammers a place in the Premiership.

The former Brighton striker has won over the West Ham supporters with his recent performances – and the 39-year-old Sheringham praised the resolve displayed by his younger colleague during a difficult campaign.

“Bobby has shown a lot of character this year,” said Sheringham.

“He took a bit of stick at the start of the season, he hasn’t played as regularly as he would have liked, but he has still come in and scored his goals.

“When you receive a lot of criticism, football is a tough game. When people get on your back, you have to show a bit of character – and he has certainly done that.

“For him to score the winning goal yesterday was fantastic.”

West Ham fan Zamora, 24, turned Matthew Etherington’s left-wing cross past Preston goalkeeper Carlo Nash early in the second half after defender Claude Davis had slipped attempting to head the ball clear.

Sheringham – who recovered from a hamstring injury only recently – would probably have been brought on as a late substitute by manager Alan Pardew.

But a knee injury to goalkeeper Jimmy Walker in the 88th minute meant Pardew had to send on reserve keeper Stephen Bywater as his third and final substitute.

Sheringham continued: “I have had stick from the fans at every one of my clubs. You have to go through that period.

“You have a spell where everybody loves you, and then all of a sudden you have a period – it could be two weeks, two months or two years into your time at the club – when you get stick from the crowd, and you have to overcome that.

“It makes you a stronger character, and if you don’t prove you can cope then you fall by the wayside – but Bobby has proved he can cope.”

West Ham are keen to give Sheringham another one-year deal, and the former England striker insists he is keen to stay at Upton Park.

But he was cagey when asked about his future, hinting that there is some way to go before a new contract can be agreed.

Sheringham added: “I’m going to be playing football next year, but we’ll have to wait and see where an offer comes from.

“The manager has said he wants me to stay, but until everything is official then we don’t know. But I would like to stay.”