ENGLAND coach Glenn Hoddle is ready to go to World Cup war with the press to protect his players, despite taking members of the national squad to task himself over their off-the-field conduct.

The England coach responded to Teddy Sheringham's pathetic Portuguese pranks, which happened just days after the controversial axeing of errant star Paul Gascoigne, by insisting the Manchester United player apologise in public.

But Hoddle vehemently backed Darren Anderton after front page claims about a Bournemouth brawl were utterly refuted by the Spurs winger. And the coach has already made veiled threats to the press that he will not hesitate to go on the offensive if he feels any of his players have been unfairly targeted.

Last week, that threat was made good with the public 'naming and shaming' of a Sunday tabloid Hoddle accused of fabricating claims about Paul Gascoigne. And while the coach accepts he and his players will be fair game if anybody does step out of line, he is ready to fight fire with fire if he believes they have been turned over.

''Teddy's had to face the music, I've had to do what I've had to do, David Davies (the FA's chief spokesman) has been kept up all night,'' said Hoddle.

''That's part of the situation, that's fact. But I've gone on record as saying I think that what is out of order is somebody having a story for eight months and waiting until now to bring it out at World Cup time. It that happens, you'll see another side of me - and then you'll have a problem. That's what I'm saying.''