Les: Losing in final hit me for six

Les Ferdinand admitted today that he has found it hard to shake off the disappointment of losing in the Worthington Cup Final.

But the former England striker, who has scored 14 goals this season, says he is focused on helping Spurs find another route into Europe - starting with tomorrow's match at home to Sunderland in the Premiership.

The 35-year-old was denied three times by Blackburn goalkeeper Brad Friedel as Rovers won 2-1 to secure the Worthington Cup in Cardiff last Sunday.

Ferdinand said: "It's hit me for six. In some games you don't get one chance, but this time I had three and whether or not the goalkeeper made good saves or they were bad finishes doesn't matter. The ball didn't go into the back of the net and we lost the Worthington Cup Final.

"But we're still in with a shout of qualifying for Europe in both the league and the FA Cup so we've got to put that behind us and look ahead, starting with Sunderland tomorrow."

Meanwhile, as Standard Sport reported yesterday, Glenn Hoddle is expected to take charge of his Tottenham team despite the death of his dad, Derek, who died on Wednesday in Harlow hospital after suffering a stroke. He was 68.

Defenders Stephen Carr and Stephen Clemence have given the club some good news as they continue their comebacks from injury.

Carr is back in training and Clemence came through his first game for six months when he played for an hour for the reserves against West Ham on Tuesday.

Republic of Ireland defender Carr must work on his fitness before playing in the reserves, while Clemence is now targeting a first-team outing within four weeks.

Sunderland go south desperate to rid themselves of the memory of Sunday's derby misery when they lost 1-0 at home to Newcastle.

But Sunderland manager Peter Reid refuses to be downhearted, despite acknowledging that his job is getting harder.

"The expectations have been higher and teams have paid us great respect, and I think it has been difficult in the sense that chances haven't gone in," he said.

"There's been mounting expectation on the players and on the football club, and it has been difficult." Brazilian defender Emerson Thome hopes to return from a knee injury before the end of the season after two operations.

Sunderland's key midfielder Gavin McCann and youngster Paul Thirlwell are battling back from knee and ankle problems respectively.

Tottenham v Sunderland
3pm, tomorrow, White Hart Lane