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Curbishley: Putting his faith in youth

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Teams

• West Ham United

Players

• James Tomkins
• Fred Sears

Also see

• Tomkins delight at big week
• Hammers blow for Everton
• Curbs hails young Hammers

West Ham manager Alan Curbishley insists he has had no doubts about blooding what he hopes will be stars of the future at Upton Park.

Young defender James Tomkins made his debut at centre-back against Everton on Saturday, while striker Freddie Sears made his second appearance after scoring the winner on his first outing against Blackburn the week before.

And Curbishley has revealed he has been allowing West Ham's youngsters to gain experience of life with the first-team since Christmas in the wake of injury problems which have seen the likes of Craig Bellamy and Kieron Dyer sidelined for the majority of the season.

"I took a view just after Christmas as we have had a lot of injury problems," Curbishley told Sky Sports News.

Opportunity

"I took the view that I was going to have the young players around us, training with us and coming on the trips to see what it is all about.

"It has happened in the last week that two of them (Sears and Tomkins) have been given an opportunity at the same time.

"We had no doubts and if they are good enough they have to go in."

And Curbishley believes West Ham have benefited from their mid-table Premier League position as it has offered the opportunity to look at other options.

Position

"I'm in a good position where I can perhaps not worry about the league position and the importance of trying to win things, and look at the bigger picture," added Curbishley.

"That's what I've done over the last couple of weeks so when they did get introduced, James Tomkins at the weekend and Freddie Sears the week before, it didn't faze them.

"They grabbed it and it has given every one a lift at the club."