West Ham United youngster Harrison Ashby made his return from injury on Saturday for the Irons’ U21 side, according to football.london’s Jonty Colman.
The Lowdown: Ashby’s injury
Having played the full 90 minutes in the first leg of the Hammers’ UEFA Europa Conference League qualifier against Viborg FF, the youngster has not been included in a matchday squad since sitting on the bench for the side’s Premier League clash against Brighton just 72 hours after his continental runout.
The right-back suffered an injury to his groin, forcing him to the sidelines for an extended period; all throughout negotiations for a proposed £2m move to Newcastle United, which later fell through on deadline day.
The Latest: Ashby’s return
Colman has shared an update on Ashby, revealing details of his return from injury. Taking to Twitter, the journalist shared:
“Harrison Ashby made his return from injury on Saturday for the U21s, playing the duration of their defeat to Crystal Palace.”
The 20-year-old was back to full fitness for Mark Robson’s side as he played the full 90 minutes in the Hammers’ 1-0 defeat to the Eagles in the Premier League 2.
West Ham’s U21s are next in action on Tuesday night when they take on League One side Milton Keynes Dons in the Papa John’s Trophy, with the Scotsman hoping to gain more minutes as he eyes a spot in David Moyes’ first-team.
[web_stories_embed url="https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/west-ham-latest-news-5/" title="West Ham latest news!" poster="" width="360" height="600" align="none"]
The Verdict: Big potential
Singled out for his ‘real quality’ by former U21 coach Dmitri Halajko, Ashby’s return to fitness will hand Moyes a big boost amid an injury to another exciting young full-back in Ben Johnson.
Having made his Premier League debut as a substitute last season against Arsenal, the 20-year-old will now be hoping to push on and fight for a spot in the manager’s first-team squad.
However, with new arrival Thilo Kehrer having been utilised as a right-back against Wolves at the weekend, Ashby will be in for some tough competition this season if he is to be given a chance at the London Stadium.