Ahmed Abdulla is hoping the arrival of new manager Sam Allardyce could serve as the catalyst to him securing a regular place in West Ham United's first-team squad.

The 19-year-old was an important member of the Hammers' reserve squad in 2010/11, making a team-high 17 league appearances.

Now, having signed his second professional contract with the club he joined at the age of 16, the Saudi Arabia-born midfielder is planning to make the step up to first-team football in 2011/12.

"I thought last year would be my big year to break through, but obviously with the club struggling and the manager not being stable, it wasn't to be," he told West Ham TV.

"Hopefully this year, with Sam, everyone knows his record at other clubs and hopefully he'll bring some players through and one of those players will be me and I can push for a place in the first team.

"Last season was a very productive season because it was my first season as a reserve-team player and to play in near enough every game was a good achievement, particularly as I was playing in different positions.

"Travelling to the away games was a new experience for us and I took a lot from that, but I'm hoping this year I'll be pushing on for a first-team place."

Abdulla said he and his fellow young professionals - among them the likes of Olly Lee, Jordan Brown, Cristian Montano, Sebastian Lletget, Eoin Wearen and Callum Driver - were all eager to make their mark under new boss Allardyce.

With a number of senior players having departed the Boleyn Ground this summer and a packed 46-game league season ahead, the talented band of Academy graduates could be called upon at any time.

When the call comes, Abdulla wants to be at the front of the queue.

"The main thing the young players are looking at is that the squad has become smaller and it's not going to be as big as it was last year when we had first-team players training with us.

"Maybe this season it will be the other way around, with players who have got experience in the reserves being ready to step up.

"Hopefully, it should be a good season."