Noble excited by West Ham youngsters

West Ham United midfielder Mark Noble has praised the talents of the latest youngsters to graduate through the club’s academy.

Noble, 25, was a product of the same youth system that has seen such talents as Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole and Michael Carrick moulded by the club.

Noble has gone on to make nearly 250 appearances for West Ham since making his debut as a 17-year-old and believes youngsters like George Moncur, Matthias Fanimo, Dylan Tombides and Leo Chambers can become important to the first team.

“I think Jordan, Moncs, Hally, Matthias, young Leo – who has travelled with us to the last two Premier League games and been on the bench – and the others are doing well,” Noble told the club’s official website.

“If they keep on grafting, don’t let it go to their heads when they travel with the first team and put it in when they play for the Development Squad, then they will keep enjoying it and keep moving forward.

“We have got a good crop of young players and they will soon be pushing the seniors for their places.

“The Premier League is obviously a tough league to come into – I learnt that as a 17-year-ol, that it’s a tough ask and you’ve got to be mentally capable to do that – but hopefully they can keep pushing us.”