Winston Reid returns to action
Experienced defender Winston Reid starts in a West Ham shirt for the U23s tonight after his loan spell in the MLS
The Kiwi defender starred for Sporting KC this year on loan from West Ham where he remains contracted until 2023.
The 33-year-old whose loan has now ended made 10 appearances (eight starts), scored one goal and contributed to two clean sheets in 728 minutes played.
With Angelo Ogbonna, Fabian Balbuena, Issa Diop and loanee Craig Dawson available to David Moyes there appears to be little room in the first team squad for Reid.
Lining up alongside the Hammers veteran tonight against Southampton U23’s is Conor Coventry after recovering from a foot injury.
Mipo Odubeko also starts after his absence after self isolating after a number of false positive COVID tests. Centre back Ajbola Alese also returns from injury to start tonight.
Last week’s West Ham first Team debutants Jamal Baptiste and Oladapo Afolayan back in action for the Academy. January signing Fredericks Alves also gets another start for the Under 23’s.
The Premier League 2 kick off at Rush Green Stadium is 7pm this evening.