Reserves return to action tonight

The reserves are back in action on Wednesday night when they go to Portsmouth for their last trip outside of the capital this season.

The match, which kicks off at 7pm, will be played at Westleigh Park, the home of FA Cup giantkillers Havant and Waterlooville. West Ham United reserve-team manager Kevin Keen is set to have a blend of experienced first-teamers to go with his talented youngsters. He said: "Hopefully there will be a few senior players sprinkled in there which is important for some who are coming back from injury."

Among the younger faces likely to figure is attacking midfielder Tony Stokes, who has just come back to the club from his loan at Stevenage. "He is available to play. He has looked sharp in his couple of days of training," said Keen. "Jack Collison and James Tomkins have been in and around the first team and been doing very well in training and the reserves. They will probably be playing along with Marek Stech in goal."

After their midweek trip to the south coast, the reserves are due to play two home games against Birmingham City and Fulham on 12 and 19 February respectively. Keen's side have lost just three games in their ten fixtures to date, with one of those reverses being in their last outing away to Aston Villa on 7 January - when only a last-minute goal cost the Hammers a point.