West Ham boss Alan Curbishley insists that he has no problem with Teddy Sheringham on a personal level as he bids to retain the club's Premiership status.
Since Curbishley succeeded Alan Pardew at Upton Park, veteran striker Sheringham has been reduced to the periphery of first team football in the East London.
Having decided that he could perhaps play on for another season, the classy former England international is desperate for playing time, but thus far has seen his pleas fall on Curbishley's deaf ear.
Talk has been that the pair do not enjoy the type of relationship Sheringham shared with his former taskmaster Pardew but Curbishley, who has recalled the player to his squad for this weekend's game with Middlesbrough, insists there is no agenda behind the 40-year-old's absence.
"If I think Teddy should be playing, heÂ’ll be playing," Curbishley told a website. "There is no agenda.
"IÂ’d like to think IÂ’m intelligent enough and not naive, in picking the team I feel will get a result.
"IÂ’m not strong enough in the position I am, in the bottom three, to start leaving people out (for personal reasons).
"I’ve said it to Teddy since I’ve been at the club that he’s trained really well. Especially stuff where you think ‘perhaps he’ll struggle with that’ but he hasn’t and he’s desperate to play.
"I understand his frustration but I donÂ’t know how much he featured before I came to the club, he obviously figured in some very important games and scored some crucial goals."
Sheri: I want to play football
Teddy Sheringham has expressed his disappointment at failing to find favour with Alan Curbishley at West Ham United.
The veteran forward was an important member of Alan Pardew's squad, but has been unable to make an impact under his successor.
Sheringham has yet to feature in the Premiership in 2007, although Curbishley has been quick to stress there is no agenda with the ex-England international, who turns 41 on Monday.
The situation is likely to see Sheringham leave Upton Park in the summer and he is unhappy at not being given a chance in recent months.
"I want to play football, that is why I am being paid," said Sheringham in the newspaper.
"Alan Pardew liked the way I played, but this manager obviously does not share his opinion.
"I have not played for 10 weeks which is disappointing. I want to play while I'm still able.
"With results as bad as they are you think you're going to get involved, but it's not happened."