Alex Pike training with the first-team

West Ham have shipped 14 goals in their last four Premier League games, losing them all, which has raised questions about their defence.

With injuries in the fullback positions to Arthur Masuaku, Aaron Cresswell and Havard Nordtveit, Slaven Bilic has promoted youngster Alex Pike to the first-team this week.

The 19-year-old right-back trained with the first-team this week and could be in-line t0 make his Premier League debut this weekend at home against Middlesbrough.

Bilic gave Pike his West Ham debut in the Europa League qualifiers last season against Astra Giurgiu, but since then the teenage defender has been a mainstay in the Development squad side.

Pike was part of the U21 side that one the U21 Cup last season with West Ham. He was set to go out on loan to Charlton, with the London side taking the defender on trial ahead of a season-long loan before ultimately deciding against the move.

West Ham are expected to star Sam Byram and Alvaro Arbeloa against ‘Boro at right and left-back respectively but Pike could make the best as their first-reserve.