Alex Ferguson has admitted he can scarcely believe Teddy Sheringham will return to Old Trafford as a Premiership player tomorrow, six years after his departure from Manchester United.
The veteran striker will celebrate his 40th birthday on Sunday, putting him in line to join Gordon Strachan as the only outfield players to have appeared in the top flight at that age since the Premier League was launched in 1992.
It is an amazing achievement, especially given it was thought Sheringham joined United in 1997 looking to collect a few medals at the back end of his career.
He certainly got the medals, winning three league titles, an FA Cup and famously, the Champions League during his four-year stint with the Red Devils.
But Ferguson admits there is an element of surprise Sheringham is still operating at the highest level even though he has retained the attributes which brought him 51 England caps.
"When he left Manchester United, I didn't think Teddy would still be playing now," said Ferguson. "In a way, it is not surprising because pace was never a factor in his game and he still has the same intelligence. But it is rare for any outfield player to play in the Premiership at 40 and you do need a bit of luck with injuries."
Sheringham's departure, after receiving an offer Ferguson felt he could not refuse from Tottenham, came just as Ruud van Nistelrooy was arriving. After five matches on the bench, the Dutchman is desperately hoping for a chance to shine against the Hammers.
Ferguson raised those hopes still further in the immediate aftermath of Sunday's win over Birmingham, by stating his intention to make 'one or two changes'.
By subsequently reporting a 'couple' of injuries from the Birmingham victory, Ferguson has confirmed changes are likely but the inclusion of young trio Markus Neumayr, Darron Gibson and Ritchie Jones in the Scot's squad suggests midfield is the area he is looking at.
Kieran Richardson has already been ruled out with slight damage to an ankle joint but, with an arduous trip to Bolton looming on Saturday, Ryan Giggs may be rested if he is not fully fit.
If Giggs is missing, Darren Fletcher is most likely to return, with at least one untested youngster being drafted onto the bench. Richardson's replacement is more obvious, with Park Ji-sung an automatic inclusion on the left-hand side.
