ALAN Curbishley believes that the emergence of West Ham's latest crop of youngsters has given the whole club a real lift.

Eighteen-year-old Academy boys Freddie Sears and James Tomkins have both made impressive debuts in the Irons last two outings - against Blackburn and Everton respectively - while club mates Jack Collison and Kyel Reid have also been knocking on the door for a chance.

The quartet have been training and travelling with the first team in recent months, which Curbishley feels has really perked up his squad.

"What happens when you get these young boys around you is that they take it with enthusiasm and a smile and want to do well and lap every minute up," said the Hammers boss.

"Everything is new, even in hotel. We had a late breakfast up at Everton and I was sitting there and the three young boys came down.

"Mark Noble sat down on their table and he was the oldest one, like the shop steward and conducting them a little bit.

"I don't think they knew if they could go up and have an egg or a sausage so he was taking care of them.

"It's nice to see it and it's given everyone a lift."

Curbishley admits he faces a tough juggling act between helping the club finish as high up in the Premier League table as possible and the development of the club's youngsters.

But, with only seven games left and seemingly little to play for this season, the Irons chief is determined to keep with the club's tradition of blooding new young talent.

He said: "I've got a run-in where I'm hoping to give them some football - starts especially - but I also know every West Ham fan wants us to finish as high up as we can in that top-ten.

"I appreciate everybody's position but I've got to think about the club as well.

"For me, it's obviously the bigger picture. I've got no doubts about putting some of them in, so if the situation arises I'll do it."

West Ham's Academy of Football is recognised around the world for the exciting talent it has produced.

Recent international stars Rio Ferdiand, Frank Lampard and Joe Cole all came off the production line at Upton Park, as did established current duo Anton Ferdinand and Mark Noble.

Curbishley concedes that that conveyor belt of developing new stars has dried up of late, but believes the inclusion of the latest crop - such as Sears and Tomkins - has once again sparked the imagination of the club's young fans.

"When Freddie came on, and with James last week, a lot of our fans are similar ages and were thinking I wish that was me. I'd love to be playing for West Ham'," he said.

"West Ham have always had a sprinkling of homegrown talent and there's perhaps been a little lull in recent years but hopefully we're on our way back.

"It's vitally important for everybody."

It is perhaps a sign of things to come that the Hammers finished with four homegrown stars on the pitch against Everton on Saturday (Ferdinand, Noble, Sears and Tomkins).

And it is because Curbishley understands the need to keep that east end influence that suggests he is likely to continue to follow with the club's traditions.

Have you say below: Would Curbishley be better off to carry on blooding the youngsters this season, or try to aim for a higher finish in the Premier League?