Although Chris Cohen has been impressing in the reserves - none more so than in his performance on Wednesday against Leicester - Alan says he is not ready to be competing for a place week in, week out.
"You have to bear in mind that Chris Cohen is 16 and will play for West Ham - I have absolutely no doubt in my mind about that - as will young Mark Noble.
"I have to tell you it was a real boost watching the reserves on Wednesday - I thought they were terrific and any West Ham fan that was down there would have been pleased with that.
"But we can't rely on Chrissy; he will certainly get the odd game here and there but no more than that, and I definitely need to bring someone in down that left side to give us competition for places.
"That is a priority for us."
As for the news about Rufus, he insists the correct decision has been made, difficult though it was.
"That has been the biggest blow of the week, the news that he has to have pins put in the back of his ankle," he admits.
"The medical team worked really hard on him and the rehab was coming on okay.
"The scan showed that it hadn't healed correctly and the worry was that it might never heal properly if it wasn't pinned.
"So it was a decision that was made out of good sense and was no fault of anybody's.
"The lad is very, very disappointed and I would like to say to any West Ham supporter that happens to bump into him, make sure you pat him on the back.
"We wish him well and want him back as quickly as possible because he could have been massive for us this year.
"But we haven't got him, and we have to move on from that and hopefully we can welcome him back next year because he is a strong character and a winner."