Hammers give 15-year-old prospects a chance in Under-23s match


Two 15-year-olds have been selected to start in defence for West Ham United’s Under-23s in their Premier League International Cup game with Benfica on Tuesday.

Full-back Will Greenidge and centre-half Josh Okotcha have both impressed for the Under-18s at times this season.

They are now making their first appearances at Under-23 level against the Portuguese side’s youngsters.

Defender Declan Rice, midfielders Domingos Quina and Sead Haksabanovic and striker Toni Martinez are not included, which could mean they are being held back for the first-team squad, who will play Leicester City on Friday.

West Ham: Matrevics, Greenidge, Powell, Coventry, Wells, Okotcha, Kemp, De Rosa, Hector-Ingram, Scully, Diangana.