West Ham United will be hoping to book their place in the second round of the Checkatrade Trophy when they take on Bristol Rovers on Tuesday night.
The Hammers, an U21 side in the competition though five overage players are permitted, go into the game with three points from three on the Southern Group C table following their win over Swindon Town in the competition in August.
And should Terry Westley’s youngsters secure another win at the Memorial Ground, they could already have their spot in the second round with one match to spare should the Robins draw with Wycombe Wanderers.
If there is a winner in the other tie on the same evening, the east Londoners would still look a good bet to progress providing they gain three points against the Pirates.
Goalkeeper Nathan Trott, who was part of the Hammers team which beat Swindon 3-2 earlier this campaign, is confident his team can qualify for the next round.
He said: “We have a really strong squad this season, and when everyone is fit, it’s a really great team. All eleven players on the pitch are really talented and so are the guys on the bench who come on and help us out.
“I think we can win anything this season. Our objectives at the start of the season were a top six finish but how well we are doing in the league, we can look even better than that.
“Our form shows how much we are working at the moment and how high the concentration levels have been all season. If we continue like that we will keep getting good results like this.”
Last season, Westley’s team exited the competition after the group stages after tough defeats against Coventry City and Wycombe before a penalty shootout victory over Northampton.
Earlier this campaign, the Academy opted to field a strong, experienced side against Swindon and it paid off, as the exciting side beat their League Two opponents.
Tuesday’s challenge comes in the form of a League One side, however after Saturday’s Premier League 2 victory over Manchester City, Trott believes the whole squad is extremely high on confidence.
“The whole team were great and it was a good performance against City,” the keeper continued. “We did well and I was also happy with my own performance.
“I just want to continue with this form and help out the whole team and get more positive results like this.”
West Ham supporters wishing to support the side at the Memorial Ground will be able to purchase tickets on the day of the game from Bristol Rovers’ matchday ticket office.