Carr up for the cup

West Ham United begin their latest FA Youth Cup adventure this evening but face a tricky test at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The young Hammers will head to Molineux in good spirits and boosted by the return of Rob Hall, who is eligible to play under the terms of his youth loan at Oxford United. The 18-year-old forward has been in sensational form in League Two and was determined to take part.

"We have brought Rob Hall back from Oxford to play in the game," Carr told West Ham TV. "He wanted to play. If he didn't want to play or felt he had moved beyond it we wouldn't have considered him.

"He is still a youth-team player at heart and wants to play with the lads and playing at Molineux is a great occasion for him also. We hope he can give us something and a bit of a lift up front."

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Carr and U18 coach Nick Haycock will also have the likes of first-team training regular Dan Potts, England youth internationals Matthias Fanimo and Blair Turgott and prolific forwards Kieran Sadlier and Elliot Lee in the squad.

The Academy Director is expecting his teenagers to rise to the occasion but admitted it was always a challenge to go away from home under the lights. "I just hope the run can last. It is a tough, tough tie for us at Wolves.

"We are playing at Molineux which is great for the lads, I just hope we can go there and do well. It is difficult for the lads because it is a weeknight and it is at a stadium, we are not used to that. We are used to 11am on a Saturday at the training ground.

"Some players relish it and some find it hard to handle and freeze. But that is part of the experience of paying these games and just hope we can get through the tie and into the next round. That would give us another game after Christmas and we are looking to push on in the next round.

"There is nothing better than gaining experience in these cup tie atmosphere. I am sure it will be a great occasion for the lads but a tough game. We are looking forward to it."

Carr still has fond memories of the club's last FA Youth Cup triumph in 1999 when Michael Carrick and Joe Cole inspired a memorable final win against Coventry City, including a 6-0 second-leg demolition at a packed Boleyn Ground.

"It is something nice to remember. I have a DVD at home but I have never watched the game since the night. Many staff have, but I haven't seen it since. You just move on to the next one and it is a lovely memory."