Teddy Sheringham has insisted suggestions that Pompey's Premiership boat will now sink fast after being holed by successive defeats against Blackburn and Birmingham are well wide of the mark.

And the veteran striker believed he and front-line partner Yakubu Ayegbini would soon be back on target to return Harry Redknapp's team to calmer waters.

Former Spurs and England star Sheringham, who was among a Pompey party which paid a goodwill visit to HMS Ark Royal yesterday, scored five goals in five games after his free transfer move to Fratton Park.

But his finishing touch has deserted him lately, coming up empty against Blackburn and Birmingham and even failing to find the target in a 5-2 Carling Cup win over Third Division Northampton.

But Sheringham is staying typically cool ahead of tomorrow's home game against Charlton.

The ex-Manchester United European Cup winner said: "I wouldn't say there is any panic about here.

"Sure we know we need to get back to winning ways but I don't think panic is the scenario at all - not at the moment."

Pompey's next three fixtures after Charlton are at home to Liverpool and away to Newcastle and Manchester United - a crunch period even though they began Premiership life with excellent results against Aston Villa, Manchester City, Bolton and Arsenal (two wins and two draws).

But they are still in the top 10 and Sheringham added: "You can't afford to look too far ahead. The next game is Charlton and it is a tough one as well.

"They beat Liverpool last week and they are looked very solid and hard-working. And if we don't approach it in the right manner we won't get anything out of them."

Sheringham's Nigerian strike partner Ayegbini is also having a lean time in front of goal, having scored just once all season and having seen a 'goal' harshly ruled out at Birmingham when the Blues led only 1-0.

The 20-year-old admitted he may be lacking in confidence.

But Sheringham said: "I can't see why that should be the case. Yak is an outstanding prospect and he's played very consistently since the start of the season. The goals will come."

With on-loan striker Jason Roberts needing to recover fully from a calf strain, Ayegbini looks set to retain his place tomorrow.

But the best news for Pompey is that Patrik Berger looks set to return in midfield from a groin injury.

He will almost certainly replace Matthew Taylor, who will be given more time to ease his way back from an achilles operation last March, but former Charlton defender Linvoy Primus has already been ruled out with a calf injury.