West Ham United boss David Moyes has hinted at giving a couple of younger players chances for minutes against FCSB on Thursday night.
Although the Hammers do not have any points or qualification places to play for, Moyes’ side are hoping to make history and become the first side ever in the Europa Conference League to win all six of their group-stage matches.
While many key players have been left at home to rest up for Sunday’s Premier League meeting with Crystal Palace, Alphonse Areola, Nayef Aguerd, Vladimir Coufal, Pablo Fornals and Manuel Lanzini are all set to be among the senior players in action. Here is a look at five young West Ham players who may get a chance to impress for the Irons in Bucharest, with Moyes confirming some young prospects will be involved.
READ MORE: David Moyes provides West Ham team selection hint as he eyes European record vs FCSB
Harrison Ashby
Of players outside of the senior squad, right-back Harrison Ashby is among the frontrunners for a first-team call-up in Romania, having played against Viborg in this competition in August and also featuring in Premier League squads this term.
However, injuries have seen Ashby in and out of the under-21s team this term, with the defender playing for the first time in four youth games in last Saturday's defeat to Liverpool.
Ashby has six first-team appearances and has even made a brief cameo in the Premier League, with Moyes stating earlier this season that Ashby would have been used more in this competition this season, had he been available.
Divin Mubama
Striker Divin Mubama only recently turned 18 but has twice featured on the bench for the Hammers in the Europa Conference League.
Following a pre-season that saw Mubama score for the Hammers in a pre-season win over Servette, he has been on the bench against Viborg and in the home win over FCSB in September.
A versatile forward, who can play as a left winger and in the No.10 role, Mubama won his first two caps for England's under-19s in September.
Regan Clayton
Left-back Regan Clayton trained with the Hammers ahead of travelling to Brussels for their away tie in Group B, although he did not travel with the group.
Clayton however, like Mubama, was named on the West Ham bench for their 3-1 win over FCSB back in September.
The left-back has played in all 11 of West Ham's Premier League 2 matches this season and also in all of three of their games in the Papa John's Trophy, scoring once and providing an assist.
Keenan Forson
Kennan Forson has also played in all 14 of West Ham's under-21 matches in Premier League 2, providing two assists.
As per Transfermarkt, Forson has played as a central midfielder, attacking midfielder and a defensive midfielder, right winger and as a striker.
The 21-year-old has made the bench for West Ham in their last two Europa Conference League wins over Anderlecht and Silkeborg and made his senior debut off the bench against Dinamo Zagreb in December 2021 in the Europa League.
Oliver Scarles
Oliver Scarles was a surprise call-up to the squad for the 1-0 win over Anderlecht in Belgium last month, with the 16-year-old already having quite an eventful season.
Largely a left-back, Scarles can also play in midfield and has provided three assists in four appearances in the Under-18s Premier League. He has also played twice for the under-21s in the Papa John's Trophy and five times in Premier League 2.
With a place on the bench in both wins over Anderlecht, a senior debut would see him become the fourth youngest player in the club's history.
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