WEST Ham are on a roll in terms of seeing youngsters progress to the first team and it could be set to continue, according to Academy director Tony Carr, writes James Randall.

Freddie Sears, James Tomkins and Jack Collison have all been handed their first team debuts this season after working their way through the ranks.

And Carr reckons it can only get better with the U18 and reserve teams flying high in their respective leagues.

"At the moment the youth team and Academy are having a good little spell," he told the club's official website.

"We are getting players into the first team and the boys are still getting good results. Things couldn't be better at the moment.

"I am really pleased with the way things have gone in the last couple of months."

Another promising 18-year-old put pen to paper on a new contract at the club this week and could soon be knocking on the door for a first team opportunity.

Bondz N'Gala (pictured) is one of a number of promising centre backs progressing through the ranks having impressed alongside 17-year-old England U19 international Jordan Spence in the reserve team in recent weeks.

"Bondz has signed a professional contract and we have got Jordan Spence also who is maturing into a fine centre back," added Carr.

"We have got more to come we hope."