West Ham United reserves will hope to build on two impressive results when they travel to take on Birmingham City on Monday night.
Alex Dyer's side are full of confidence after a tremendous 5-2 home win against Stoke City last week followed hot on the heels of a fine 1-1 draw away to a strong Fulham side.
Kieron Dyer, who scored twice in the victory over Stoke, could feature once more as he continues his push for full fitness. Aside from that, though, West Ham are likely to have a youthful lineup once again although the central defensive partnership of Bondz 'Gala and Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson may be reunited. Up front, Terry Dixon and Frank Nouble should get a chance to link up again after each scored and starred against Stoke.
"We go to Birmingham full of confidence," said reserve-team manager Dyer. "We have trained hard and there has been a bit of a buzz for us around the place. We need to keep doing the work we are trying to do. We have been good lately and have had plenty of encouraging signs to take away. It is all about progressing and developing the individuals. If three or four go to the next level and build on this, then we are doing things right. Hopefully we are doing a decent job."
Dyer was mindful though that Birmingham beat Chelsea, who had in turn triumphed 4-1 against the Hammers back in October, last week and would be a tough proposition at their Solihull Moor FC base. "We expect and want tough games every week," he added. "It is about how we perform and cope with what is in front of us. We will be OK if we do that. I have confidence in my players that they will give their all." Kick-off is at 7pm.
West Ham United: Kurucz, Eyjolfsson, 'Gala, Daprela, Ferrari, Payne, Dyer, Kearns, Nouble, Dixon, Edgar
Subs: Loveday, Modelski, Zola, Wearen, Grasser, Montano