YOUTH is set to play a key role in West Ham's season after a shortage of summer signings.

Graduates from the club's distinguished academy may have to learn quickly about the rigours of the Premier League with the senior squad thin on numbers, and manager Gianfranco Zola admits the door is always open for new talent to come through the ranks.

Luis Jimenez is the only established player to join so far, with new signings Frank Nouble, a 17-year-old striker from Chelsea, 18-year-old Switzerland defender Fabio Daprela and 17-year-old centre-back Jack Lampe amongst the prospects who will be hoping for a first-team chance.

Players such as Bondz N'Gala, Josh Payne and Zavon Hines featured in the Asia Trophy campaign and follow in the footsteps of James Tomkins, Jack Collison and Mark Noble, who have all established themselves in the starting line-up.

Zola said: "I think we have a couple of players who are doing very well and they might get a chance in the future. It depends how the season goes, if they will have the opportunity.

"This club is a club that wants to get good players and wants to climb the table, but we always leave an open door and space for the young players coming through.

"It was the case last year, with Junior Stanislas, Tomkins and Collison coming through, and hopefully there will be more this year."

His comments came after the Bobby Moore Cup tie against Napoli on Saturday, in which six academy graduates featured in the squad.

The match also marked the home debut of Chile international midfielder Jimenez, who signed on loan from Italian Serie A champions Internazionale, and Zola hopes he can bring the creative flair sometimes lacking in the team last season.

"He's settling in really well," said Zola.

"He's a wonderful boy and I'm expecting him to do what (David) Di Michele did last year and possibly improve it.

"So far he's done well, nobody's seen him at his best yet.

"Last year he spent six months without playing so he needs to keep up his condition. The quality of the boy is not in doubt and I'm sure we'll help him be an effective player for us."

And Zola believes the former Chilean footballer of the year can form an effective midfield partnership with the developing talents of youngsters Collison, Noble and Stanislas, and hopes they can bring more goals to the team.

Zola said: "They are mature and responsible players and they need to know that they have to take their game to a new level.

"They know I'm not going to be on top of them screaming if they make a mistake, but I want them trying.

"I believe in them, for me they are very good players and I value them like Chelsea can value (Frank) Lampard. They are important and I will try to see them progress in their football."