David Moyes could draft an Academy star with two senior appearances to his name into his West Ham United squad for this week’s double header.
West Ham play Rapid Wien in the Europa League at the London Stadium on Thursday night before facing Brentford at home on Sunday afternoon.
And Moyes has admitted he has problems at right-back with Ryan Fredericks recovering from injury and Vladimir Coufal struggling with a knock too.
If Coufal does not feature it will likely mean the versatile Ben Johnson will fill in at right-back – his natural position.
And that could see a call-up to the senior squad for 19-year-old right-back Harrison Ashby, who made his first team debut last season.
Indeed the emergence of Ashby behind Johnson means West Ham may not need to sign another right-back for the next decade should both live up to and maintain the high standards Coufal has set.
Milton Keynes born defender Ashby made his West Ham debut a year ago, replacing Johnson in the 84th minute of the 3-0 Carabao Cup win over Charlton.
Harrison described his Hammers debut as ‘the best night of my life by far’ (whufc.com).
Well now Ashby could get another taste of being in and around the senior West Ham squad if Coufal is ruled out with what is a suspected groin strain.
Fredericks is out until after the international break.
So the powerful and pacy Ashby looks likely to be called up by Moyes for a place on the bench against Rapid Wien and at home to Brentford if the manager is without Coufal.
Ashby was in action for West Ham’s development side in the Papa John’s Trophy against Colchester on Tuesday night, putting in another eye-catching performance.
If the young star does get a first team call then it is great to see a clear pathway for young West Ham talent into the first team again.
And it is just further evidence of the brilliant job Moyes has done in building his new-look West Ham around young, hungry talent eager to prove themselves.
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