WHEN Darren Anderton arrived at Tottenham almost a decade ago he was asked if he had a nickname.

The answer he gave was "Shaggy" after the character from the cartoon series Scooby Doo, because he had a similar look and loping stride.

Unfortunately for Anderton, Shaggy was not the nickname which stuck. Instead, he was dubbed "Sicknote" because he was out of action for long periods with an assortment of injuries.

However, as Anderton prepares for Sunday's Worthington Cup final, he can look back on this season as the one in which he finally shed that cruel tag.

Manager Glenn Hoddle is delighted for him, and he believes 29-year-old Anderton has hit the peak form of his career - something few Spurs fans would disagree with this season as they have finally taken the England midfielder to their hearts.

"Darren is at the very height of his form," said Hoddle.

"He is 29 and at his peak. He is scoring goals and making goals, and he has such an engine in him that he can get back and also do the defensive side.

"All in all, in the modern day, he is a very good all-round player.

"He is working as hard as anyone and I want him to remain injury-free and enjoy his football because he is a major asset for us.

"We have worked on a few physical things with him. He has buried that horrible 'Sicknote' tag and it is wonderful to see him playing like he is - he is playing as well as anyone in that midfield area in he country."

Anderton has never been one to beat his own drum, but he has plenty of belief in his own ability, and rightly so.

"I have always said that once I am fit I can play like I have been," he said.

"It is not just a case of getting fit medically, you have to play lots of games to get like this.

"I feel I am at my best when I am running forward and I am able to do that at the moment - that is my strength."

Anderton was deservedly named in the England squad for last week's friendly in Holland, but ironically pulled out because of injury.

However, he has been watched regularly by national team coach Sven-Goran Eriksson and his assistant Tord Grip, and Hoddle has no doubts his player should be on that plane to the Far East in May.

"For me, there has not been a more consistent midfielder in the country than Darren, in all aspects of his game," said Hoddle.

"He covers every blade of grass, his passing has been superb, he has popped up with important goals, and he has certainly created things for us.

"You cannot ask for more. It is wonderful to see him playing regularly, and if Sven is looking for a player who can create, keep the ball and be involved for 90 minutes then Darren is the man."

Sunday will be only the second time Anderton has appeared in a cup final in his professional career, having lost five semi-finals during his career.

But he put the record straight when he helped Spurs lift this trophy three years ago.

"Until three years ago I was beginning to believe I was jinxed when it comes to cups, and particularly semi-finals," said Anderton.

"I have lost four that everybody knows about - in the FA Cup with Portsmouth in 1992, Spurs in 1993 and 1995, and with England in Euro 96 - but I even lost a youth cup semi with Pompey too.

"Winning this trophy in 1999 helped make up for those, and it would be great to do it again this season."

Now that Anderton has rid himself of the nearly-man tag - and that "Sicknote" label - a winners' medal and a trip to the World Cup finals would surely turn this into the best season of his career.