April 17 2007

USA

Charlie Sheringham hopes playing for Crystal Palace USA over the summer can springboard him into Peter Taylor's first team.

Sheringham and fellow Academy star Lewwis Spence jet out to the USA on Wednesday to link up with Crystal Palace Baltimore in the United Soccer League Second Division.

The 19-year-old duo join in time for the start of the new season on April 20 and will return to London in August when the fourth-month campaign ends.

Striker Sheringham, who has been a regular for the reserves this term, admits he cannot wait to get started.

He said: "I'm really looking forward to going out and getting there for four months, we return a month into pre-season.

"I just want to play a load of games, improve my football, have a good experience and good time out there and come back firing for next season."

Midfielder Spence, who has had three run-outs for the first-team this season, added: "It’s a great opportunity and experience for me to have a different lifestyle and get a set of games under my belt which I haven’t had this season.

"My first and only experience of America was when I went with the squad on their pre-season tour last year. In the brief experience I have had of the facilities, I would say they are brilliant, the gym is very good and the pitches are quality."