Time for youngster to step up after West Ham injury blow
West Ham United managed to secure their passage through to the next round of the FA Cup on Sunday with a 2-0 victory away at Gillingham.
However, the win came at a cost, as the club confirmed on Monday that first choice right back Ryan Fredericks picked up an injury which will keep him out until next month.
That’s a heavy, heavy blow for the Hammers, because they wren’t exactly excelling at the position when Fredericks was fit.
Now, though, the only alternative is a soon-to-be 35-year-old veteran Pablo Zabaleta, a player who has been exposed as past his best on numerous occasions this season – although he did score the first goal on Sunday.
Perhaps that’s not entirely true, however. Reliable Hammers news source Claret & Hugh reported on Monday that young full back Ben Johnson is back training with the first team after injury and should be available within the next fortnight.
That’s tremendous news, because the 19-year-old could be the man to take Fredericks’ place in the long-term, and now perhaps in the short-term as well.
He’s only played seven times for the Under-23s this campaign due to injury, but did make one excellent start for the first team against champions Manchester City last February.
Plus, he arguably enjoyed the best pre season of any Irons player last summer. He really was terrific, and didn’t look far off the first team at that stage.
His progress has understandably slowed due to his time on the sidelines, but this injury to Fredericks could have a silver lining if it proves to be the thing that establishes Johnson in the Hammers first team.
It’s now or never for the youngster to step up to the plate.
In other West Ham news, a behind-the-scenes figure is reported to have played a big part in a potential transfer swoop.