Dev Squad off to Grays

West Ham United Joint Chairman David Sullivan will open the new Rush Green Stadium ahead of the Development Squad's pre-season meeting with Grays Athletic on Friday.

The Hammers will take on their Ryman League Division One North opponents in the first match at the new stadium, which will play host to Ian Hendon's team's Professional Development League fixtures this season.

Before the 7.45pm kick-off, Mr Sullivan will officially open the ground, which has been renovated on the site of the former Ford Sports Ground in Rush Green Road.

Hendon will be taking a squad comprising a smattering of players with first-team and npower Football League experience and promising young professionals for what should be a competitive 90 minutes.

Frederic Piquionne, Rob Hall (pictured), George Moncur, Callum Driver and Eoin Wearen are all set to be involved, while Sebastian Lletget, Pelly Ruddock and Callum Driver are also included in an 18-man squad.

The Development Squad returned from Russia on Monday after taking part in the VTB Lev Yashin Cup. In Moscow, West Ham were beaten by Freiburg and Dynamo Moscow in the group stage before beating Besiktas 4-0 to finish fifth in the tournament.

Managed by former Thurrock boss Hakan Hayrettin, Grays finished fifth in the Ryman League Division One North table last season but were eliminated in the Play-Off semi-finals by Enfield on penalties.

Grays will welcome West Ham for the fourth time in five years, having beaten the Hammers 2-1 in 2008, lost by the same scoreline in 2009 and gone down to a 5-1 defeat a year ago.

Tickets will be priced at £10 for Adults and £5 for Concessions. For directions to the Rush Green Stadium, click here. For more information, click here.

*A Development Squad will also travel to Ryman League Premier Division side Thurrock on Saturday afternoon for a 3pm kick-off. Tickets for the fixture are priced at £8 for Adults and £5 for Juniors.