Youths back in action

West Ham United's Under-18 side return to action after their Christmas and New Year break with the visit of Southampton to Little Heath.

Tony Carr's youngsters will be looking to rediscover the form that saw them win 6-1 in the reverse fixture on the south coast on 1 November. That game saw Hungarian striker Balint Bajner score a hat-trick, but the Under-19 international will be out of action this time around due to a sprained ankle.

Academy director Carr will also have to make do without Polish full-back Filip Modelski, who has suffered a knee ligament injury, and central defender Tony Brookes, who has a minor ankle problem.

Victory on Saturday could lift the Hammers, who have drawn each of their last two matches, up two places to seventh in the FA Premier Academy League Group A table. The Saints are fifth, five points above West Ham.

Kick-off at Little Heath is at 11am. Admission is free.