Reserve Team To Face Leicester City

KEVIN Keen has named a strong Reserve team to travel to Leicester City this evening, fielding nine players with first-team experience in his starting line-up.

Two of those nine only recently made the step up to first-team level, with both Tony Stokes and Hogan Ephraim making their senior debuts in the Carling Cup win over Sheffield Wednesday.

Clive Clarke is yet to make an appearance for the Hammers first-team, but the Republic of Ireland international played 223 senior league games for Stoke City and returns after a hamstring injury at left-back.

His opposite full-back is former England Youth star Jemel Henry, one of two players in the starting 11 without a senior appearance to his name.

James Collins and Elliott Ward team up in the centre of defence, as they did in the 4-2 victory over Wednesday at Hillsborough last week.

Chris Cohen looks set to start in his favoured position of centre midfield alongside David Cowley, the other player in the team yet to make a first-team appearance.

After his goalscoring debut at Sheffield Wednesday, loanee David Bellion makes his first Reserve team start on the right of midfield with Gavin Williams providing the width on the opposite flank.

Up front, Ephraim will be paired with Stokes for the firs time at Reserve level this season.

The team to face Leicester City is as follows:

1. Shaka Hislop (GK)
2. Jemel Henry
3. Clive Clarke
4. James Collins
5. Elliott Ward
6. Chris Cohen
7. David Bellion
8. David Cowley
9. Tony Stokes
10. Hogan Ephraim
11. Gavin Williams

12. Ishmael Welsh
13. Matt Reed (GK)
14. Liam White
15. Zavon Hines
16. Jack Jeffery
17. Ryan Andrews

Leicester City v West Ham United at Hinkley United FC, kick-off 7.00pm.