Town’s U21s are in action away against Crystal Palace at Tooting and Mitcham’s KNK Stadium this afternoon (KO 2pm). Former West Ham winger Matthias Fanimo starts for the Blues.

Right-back Kyle Hammond will continue his comeback after 10 months out with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Manager Mick McCarthy, who is likely to watch this afternoon's game, was impressed with the 19-year-old’s performance during last week’s 2-1 home victory over Millwall, even if he was feeling the pace by the end of the match, his first full game following a 30-minute sub appearance the previous week.

“If you’d have seen him in the last 10 minutes you’d have known he’d been away but he was excellent, he really played well,” McCarthy said.

“And I’m so delighted for him, he’s a bit of a throwback, him. I could see him playing for Barnsley in the 1970s. He just gets on with it.

“He’s just so professional in what he does, his rehab’s been fantastic. That’s partly because we’ve got good physios but you need a good patient as well.

“He came and trained with the first team because we were a man short and then we sent him back and he sprinted over to the other section and got on with it.

“He’s a lovely kid and I’d love him to be a pro footballer. Whether that’s here or not, who knows, but everybody’s been impressed by him, by his attitude.”

Dylan Connolly, Cameron Stewart, Matt Clarke, Darren McQueen and Kundai Benyu have also made the trip, while Matthias Fanimo starts on the left-wing.

The pacey 21-year-old - reportedly the fastest footballer in the world - was recently released by West Ham following 15 years with the Hammers.

An England U16, U17 and U18 international, Fanimo spent time on loan at Tranmere earlier this season, making one brief sub appearance.

He was unable to break through into the first team at West Ham but memorably scored four goals for their U21s in a 5-1 friendly victory over the Blues towards the end of last year.

Recent trialist Tom Wraight doesn't feature despite the Blues wanting to take another look at him in match action.

The 20-year-old winger, who plays for Ryman Premier side Witham Town, was substituted after 15 minutes of last week’s 2-1 victory over Millwall with a back injury which may well still be affecting him.

The Palace side includes striker Glenn Murray, who was linked with the Blues at the weekend, but not Jonny Williams, who is not yet back from the groin injury which curtailed his loan spell before Christmas.

U21s: Crowe, Hammond, Robinson, Clarke, Wyatt, Benyu, Guldbrandsen, Connolly, McQueen, Stewart, Fanimo. Subs: Hayes, Emmanuel, C Smith, Blanchfield, Ramadan.

Photo: Action Images

arc added 11:59 - Feb 17 Only from MM is "he could have played for Barnsley in the 1970s" a compliment...
4

bluefeast added 12:58 - Feb 17 whether thats here or not who knows , if i were the lad id be thinking ,complete my rehab and really go for it in terms of being a pro with us
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Smithy added 14:04 - Feb 17 only 10 starting?
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irishtim added 14:33 - Feb 17 Looking forward to hearing how young Connolly plays.
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bobwya added 14:39 - Feb 17 Looks like 11 to me Smithy
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walberswicks added 14:58 - Feb 17 MM is a good football manager, pity he can only do it one way. Pity he's turning us into Barnsley.
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mojo added 14:58 - Feb 17 I remember there was quite a lot of talk about Fanimo after that game. Hope he does well. Kyle Hammond clearly has the right attitude to training that means a great deal to MM.
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rickw added 15:51 - Feb 17 Well he clearly looked to have a good game against Ipswich, lets hope he always performs like that in front of Ipswich fans!!
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paulcooperisgod added 16:04 - Feb 17 Walberswick the budgie
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Bergholtblue added 17:25 - Feb 17 Fanimo. Only 21 years old yet been with the hammers for 15 years? Is this right?
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WhoisJimmyJuan added 18:26 - Feb 17 Problem is Matthias Famino is an anagram of sh** moan! I am fat.
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dawoolah added 19:07 - Feb 17 Their 4th goal in that clip was outstanding (verging on 'taking the p***')
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GiveusaWave added 22:36 - Feb 17 Famino would be a fantastic signing. Remember seeing the highlights of this game and being very impressed by Morrison and Famino. Got a really good pedigree already too. Could be a bit too cocky though (when he nutmegged Sammon from a defensive position it was unreal). He wants first team football and that's why West Ham have released him; they can't see him in their present starting 11.

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