Reece Oxford targeting early Europa League involvement again this season

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The teenager made his first-team breakthrough in Europe 12 months ago before starring in the early stages of the Premier League campaign.

West Ham United prodigy Reece Oxford has told the club’s official website that he hopes to be involved in the club’s Europa League qualifiers in the next few weeks as he aims to replicate his success of last season.

Oxford was a highly-rated prospect in the Hammers academy when he was selected to start in Slaven Bilic’s first competitive match in charge, the Europa League first qualifying round first leg against Lusitanos in July 2015.

The 17-year-old impressed so much that he would go onto make 12 appearances in all competitions for the club, including starting the opening-day win over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

Oxford is hoping to be given the chance by Bilic to once more shine in the early stage of European competition as he looks ahead to another successful season in the Hammers first team.

The England Under-19s international told the club’s website: “I’m happy to be back here for pre-season now. I’m fit, because I’ve been involved at the U19s Euros, but I just want to push on, hopefully play a couple of Europa League games and push on for the season.

“I made my debut in the Europa League last season, then played two or three more and that helped me go on and play the first game in the Premier League.

“Hopefully I can do the same this summer. It would be good to be part of the squad to play in the first game at the new stadium next week too.”

There has been speculation about Oxford’s future this summer, with clubs such as Manchester United linked with a possible move for the burgeoning star.

However, it appears as though Bilic plans to have the teenager at his disposal once again this term as the Hammers look to balance a push to break into the Premier League top six with an extended Europa League campaign.

Oxford will be hoping to be involved when West Ham kick off their Europa League campaign with the first leg of their third qualifying round tie with Domzale on Thursday.