Five Academy of Football stars set to feature for West Ham United in FA Cup clash v Bristol City
Early team news has emerged ahead of the FA Cup third-round replay as West Ham prepare to face Bristol City, as five academy stars are in first-team training ahead of the clash, according to the Daily Mail.
The newspaper reported via its website on 15 January that Callum Marshall, Patrick Kelly, George Earthy, Ollie Scarles and Divin Mubama have been with the first-team squad as a result of an ongoing injury crisis.
After a 1-1 draw in the first leg at the London Stadium, West Ham will travel to Ashton Gate in the hope of progressing to the next round, but David Moyes is aware that he may have to rotate his side to allow key players a rest.
Give the youngsters a chance
The Academy of Football has always been a huge part of the identity of West Ham. The likes of Bobby Moore, Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand and Declan Rice have passed through the doors of the academy and gone on to become world-renowned international stars.
The current crop emerging from the academy are part of a group that won the prestigious FA Youth Cup against Arsenal last season, with all five of the group training with the first team having started in the final.
Mubama has been tipped for a first-team breakthrough all year since his cameo performances last season which earned him high praise, although he has been unable to break into Moyes’ plans yet, and the FA Cup could provide the perfect opportunity.
Meanwhile, both Kelly and Earthy have been tied down to new long-term deals at the London Stadium, showing the club’s commitment to the future of their key youngsters, while talks continue over deals for Mubama and Marshall.
In other West Ham news, one Hammers chief is watching AFCON closely.