Mark Noble suspension could give Reece Oxford last chance to save West Ham career

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West Ham United midfielder Mark Noble is set to miss the club’s next three matches through suspension following his straight red card against Leicester City on Saturday, and his absence could give Reece Oxford one final chance to save his Irons career.

What’s the word, then?

Well, former Hammers manager Slaven Bilic handed the teenager his debut as a 16-year-old on the opening day of the 2015/16 Premier League season against Arsenal at the Emirates, and after he impressed and won the man-of-the-match award it seemed as though he was destined for big things at the London Stadium.

However, he has made just 16 first-team appearances since that day and has spent time out on loan with Reading and Borussia Monchengladbach.

Something has certainly gone wrong for the 19-year-old who was, and in some respects given his tender years still is, so highly-rated, but with midfield injuries mounting up he could be about to get the opportunity to rescue a career that appears to be going nowhere right now.

Will he feature?

While he is known as a centre-back by trade, Oxford has the technical ability and attributes to play as a defensive midfielder or defensively-minded central midfielder – as he has done for West Ham and Monchengladbach previously – and he will know that he is closer to getting his opportunity with Noble, Jack Wilshere, Carlos Sanchez and potentially even Pedro Obiang being absent for the League Cup tie against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday.

Having failed to make single first-team squad so far this season his inclusion seems doubtful, but having been a regular for the U23 side he will surely have been watched by Pellegrini and needs must right now for the Irons boss.

Questions marks have been raised over the teenager’s attitude previously, but if he is given the chance to impress by the Chilean manager over the next few fixtures he needs to take it to save his West Ham career.