Young Reserve Side To Face Derby

KEVIN Keen has named a young Reserve team to face Derby County at Upton Park this evening, kick-off 7.00pm.

Captain Chris Cohen is the only player included who has first-team experience, although it's a side packed full of burgeoning young talent from the Hammers Academy.

Most pleasing of all is the sight of forward Hogan Ephraim on the teamsheet just a week after being carried off against Fulham with a knee injury. Hogan was today named in the England Under-17 side for the UEFA European Under-17 Championships next month.

He will be partnered in attack by the Reserve team's top scorer Moses Ashikodi. In form Tony Stokes lines up in midfield with David Cowley, Danny Bunce and Kyel Reid, while Slovakian 'keeper Dusan Kuciak will continue in goal.

In defence, Cohen will again continue at centre-half, partnered by Liam White who comes in for James Tomkins. Jemel Henry continues at right-back, while Ryan Andrews replaces Rufus Brevett at left-back.

The team to face Derby is as follows:

1. Dusan Kuciak (GK)
2. Jemel Henry
3. Ryan Andrews
4. Chris Cohen (c)
5. Liam White
6. Tony Stokes
7. David Cowley
8. Danny Bunce
9. Moses Ashikodi
10. Hogan Ephraim
11. Kyel Reid

12. James Tomkins
13. Darren Behcet (GK)
14. Oliver Allen
15. Densal Davidson
16. Ishmael Welsh

West Ham United v Derby County at Upton Park, kick-off 7.00pm.