Young Hammers defender on the mend

West Ham’s young defender Ben Johnson – having suffered a hamstring injury over the past seven weeks – is hoping to return to action for the Under 23s clash with Aston Villa on November 22.

There were hopes that he may be ready for the team’s clash against Exeter City in net week’s Leasing.com Trophy  match but that now looks unlikely

The youngster – who was given plenty of pre-season action by manager Manuel Pellegrini – might have expected to be in the frame for a place in the squad for the weekend game against Newcastle given the decision to use Pablo Zabaleta rather than Ryan Fredericks.

But his injury – like Michail Antonio’s has kept him on the sidelines for an extended period – and he is now looking at a run out in the match against the Villa under 23s.

Along with Nathan Holland, Joe Powell and maybe prolific Development Team striker Anthony Scully – who has scored 11 times in the last nine games since being switched to central striker from the left wing – Johnson is one of several being freely tipped for a Hammers breakthrough.