West Ham’s under-21 side get their Checkatrade Trophy campaign underway tonight.
The young Hammers travel to The Memorial Stadium to take on League One side Bristol Rovers.
This is a great opportunity for the younger players to test themselves against senior players in a competitive game.
Here are three West Ham starlets who Manuel Pellegrini will be keeping a close eye on tonight.
Reece Oxford
Reece Oxford of West Ham United during Premier League 2 match between West Ham United Under 23s and Arsenal Under 23s at London stadium , London, England on 24 August 2018. (Photo by Action Foto Sport/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Oxford’s career has stalled somewhat since he burst onto the scene as a 16-year-old. Now 19, the 6ft 3in defender has a point to prove.
He is the captain of the under-23 team and some still hold high hopes that he will develop into a top class player.
If the England under-20 international can demonstrate his defensive solidity against Bristol Rovers, Pellegrini may consider him for first-team action.
Oxford plays at centre-back or in central midfield so Pellegrini will be keen to see how he gets on tonight.
Nathan Holland
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 22: Nathan Holland of West Ham United during a training session at London Stadium on August 22, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Arfa Griffiths/West Ham United via Getty Images)
Holland is widely considered to be one of the most talented young players at the club after joining from Everton in 2017.
He might well have had more opportunities at senior level if he had not spent much of last season out injured.
The 20-year-old winger is an exciting talent and he has been training with the first-team after catching Pellegrini’s eye.
If the former England under-19 international can put in a good display against Bristol Rovers, he could be knocking on the door for a first-team call-up.
Xande Silva
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 24: Julio Pleguezuelo of Arsenal takes on Xande Silva of West Ham during the match between West Ham United U23 and Arsenal U23 at London Stadium on August 24, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Silva has been superb for West Ham’s youngsters since arriving in the summer from Vitoria Guimaraes.
The 21-year-old scored a hat-trick on debut against Tottenham Hotspur and now has five goals in five matches.
In his last outing, he provided a sublime assist for Grady Diangana, showing a devastating turn of pace and the awareness to pick out his team-mate.
The Portugal youth international will be hoping to score tonight and give Pellegrini something to think about, especially with Javier Hernandez out with illness and Marko Arnautovic an injury doubt too.
