Academy drawn to face Brighton in FA Youth Cup

The FA Youth Cup trophy

West Ham United's Under-18s have been drawn to face Brighton & Hove Albion in the third round of the FA Youth Cup.

Jack Collison's team will take on the Seagulls at Dagenham & Redbridge's Chigwell Construction Stadium, looking to progress to the fourth round of the competition after exiting at this stage last year to Blackpool.

The Hammers are three-time winners of the FA Youth Cup, last triumphing in 1999 when a side containing the likes of Joe Cole and Michael Carrick defeated Coventry City 9-0 on aggregate.

Brighton compete in the same Premier League U18 South Division as the Hammers, and are currently three places and three points behind the east Londoners in tenth position.

Collison said: "We have momentum now going into the FA Youth Cup. We know what Brighton and Hove Albion are about in our league, but we will do our homework and make sure we are ready for the game."

Full fixture and ticketing information will be confirmed in due course.