A SPATE of injuries to key members of West Ham’s squad has threatened to scupper their bid for a Europa League place, but one player has helped ensure they remain on course after grabbing his opportunity to impress with both hands.

Nineteen-year-old defender James Tomkins was drafted in to partner Matthew Upson at the heart of the Irons’ backline after James Collins injured his hamstring against Bolton last month.

It was a significant step up in class for the youngster, but he has been one of the team’s star performers since being asked to fill in for the Wales international.

Indeed, he was the only recognised centre-half in Saturday’s match against Blackburn, following an injury to Upson, as he was paired with captain and right-back Lucas Neill.

And he stepped up to the plate in style, snuffing out any danger as the hosts ventured forward in droves during a second-half bombardment at Ewood Park.

Tomkins’ man-of-the-match display drew plaudits from his manager, Gianfranco Zola.

“He (Tomkins) has been excellent. He doesn’t look like he’s 19 years old, he looks like a veteran. I’m very pleased about him and the improvements he’s made,” said the former Chelsea frontman.

Tomkins is in much the same mould as another West Ham graduate, a certain Rio Ferdinand, in the sense that he is comfortable on the ball, has the ability to pick a pass and has a natural reading of the game.

One person who has had the best possible view of the youngster’s development is goalkeeper Robert Green, who has been mightily impressed with his performances.

“I can’t praise the defence enough,” said the Hammers’ custodian. “Tomka is coming on leaps and bounds. He is a tall lad, but he is learning that there are players in the Premier League who are so big and so strong, like (Blackburn striker) Jason Roberts, and you have got to know when to stand off someone and when to go in and challenge. He is picking that perfectly and being clinical out there. Every ball that came to him he seemed to win.”