West Ham talent Alex Pike says position change good for his career

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West Ham youngster has recently switched to centre-back.

West Ham defender Alex Pike has welcomed his recent switch to centre-back at under-23 level.

Pike usually plays at right-back but has been featuring recently in the centre,

The 20-year-old has been speaking to the club website and believes his first team chances will be improved as he learns another position.

Pike said: “My favoured position is always right-back but sometimes you have to fill in and I do enjoy playing in the middle too.

“I look at it as another string to my bow and if I can play in a couple of positions and be versatile, that’s better for me.”

Pike was part of the West Ham under-23 team which beat Sunderland 2-1 at the weekend.

The youngster has previously spent time out on loan at Cheltenham Town where he was able to get first team experience under his belt.

It would take a bit of an injury crisis in the first team for Slaven Bilic to consider calling him up at present, but as Pike points out, an ability to play in more than one position will help his cause.

West Ham have given first team chances to youngster Declan Rice this season and that will give young players like Pike hope they can also break through.