Dev Squad ready for Cottagers duel

The Development Squad return to action on Friday evening when they host Fulham at Rush Green.

The Hammers are looking for an improvement in form, having lost on their last four outings and will hope to give their Barclays U21 Premier League Division One survival hopes a boost with victory over the Cottagers.

West Ham have already faced Fulham twice this season, having been paired with them in the U21 Premier League International Cup, and after a draw and a narrow 3-2 defeat, will be hopeful of going one better at Rush Green.

One of those likely to feature is striker Jordan Brown, who has netted seven goals in twelve appearances for the U18s. Speaking ahead of Friday's match, the 18-year-old striker said: "Fulham are a physical team. Every time I've played against them, they work hard for each other.They're very organised so I'm sure it will be a tough game but one that we can win. 

"I'm hoping to add more goals to my game, they're a number of things I need to work on to push on, so hopefully I'll do that." 

Brown goes into the game with the Cottagers full of confidence after netting for the U18s in their emphatic 5-0 win over his former club Arsenal last weekend. 

"it was a good feeling to score against Arsenal. It was a good win and I'm looking forward to playing against Fulham on Friday. 

"It's just nice to score, as a striker that is my main role in the team. I've scored against Arsenal a few times. It's always good to score against them.

"It was a great result for us, especially as we had quite a few school boys in the team. It's was a good win for West Ham."

The Dev Squad approach the game on the back of four defeats, however Brown is confident his teammates can turn the results around.

"We're a young team, we're still learning. It doesn't really phase us who we play against, we're all good players. It doesn't matter who we play against, what age they are, I think we need to just keep on doing what we're doing, and the results will come.

Kick-off is at 7pm and whufc.com will carry full coverage and match reaction.

Admission is free for Season Ticket Holders, £3 adults and £1 concessions.