(Photo by James Griffiths/West Ham United via Getty Images)

Young Hammers midfielder Joe Powell has been  knocking very firmly on Manuel Pellegrini’s door for a first call-up over recent games.

He was again in good form last night despite missing a couple of chances but in general terms produced a very decent performance which included the first goal and a top assist for the second from Tony Scully in the defeat by Wolfsburg B.

That 90 minutes followed a series of outstanding series of games from a young man who genuinely looks to have it all in front of him.

However, ClaretandHugh has learned that the 21 year looks likely to go out on loan in January until the end of the season which could see him gaining the experience to push him into serious first team contention at the start of the 20/21 season.

The Hammers will be looking for a decent Championship club in which he can develop along the same lines as Grady Diangana at West Brom.

We were told by an insider on e mail: “Obviously his impressive form has been noticed very strongly at the next step maybe a January loan.”

Nathan Holland, however, is set to remain at the Hammers continuing his education with the first team squad at Rush Green.