Ashley Fletcher is impressing at West Ham but will he get a first team run?
Ashley Fletcher celebrates
West Ham under-23 boss Graham Westley has praised striker Ashley Fletcher after his latest performance for the club.
Fletcher featured in a 0-0 draw with Newcastle United earlier this week and despite failing to get on the scoresheet, made a big impression.
Westley told the club’s official website that he feels Fletcher is ready for the first team and even claimed it was the best match he has seen him.
He said: “It’s probably the best I’ve seen [Ashley] Fletcher play in a game for us, against a physical side and they’re a lot older than us.
“He took the ball in for us, had a great chance at the back post at the end of the first half, and he’s a player who can go in your first team and do a job for you.
Fletcher signed from Manchester United in the summer after his contract expired, after attracting interest following an impressive loan spell at Barnsley last season.
He has found it a struggle to get a run in the West Ham side, but it would make sense for Slaven Bilic to give him more chances before the season ends.
It will allow the Hammers a chance to assess him more closely before they head into the summer and start looking at more strikers to add, while they will no doubt have to field enquiries from Championship teams interested in bringing Fletcher on board.
West Ham United’s Ashley Fletcher in action
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