SHOWING nerves of steel, young Kyel Reid will have done his chances of being involved in Alan Pardew's squad next season no harm at all with a solid Premiership debut at West Brom, writes Laura Burkin.

Like many before him, the 18-year-old has progressed through the Hammers youth system under the watchful eye of academy manager Tony Carr.

He has impressed Pardew, who was delighted at the midfielder's performance when he was thrust from the bench to the starting-line up minutes before kick-off after Matty Etherington was injured. Speaking about Reid, Pardew said: "He came in at the 11th hour.

"He's one of the boys who has come through our acadmy which is another good sign for the club.

"He did very well and I was delighted with his performance."

Team-mate Elliott Ward came through the ranks like Reid to emerge as a star performer in the Hammers defence as West Ham gained promotion last season.

He said: "Reidy was thrown in and did a really good job.

"There were a few other youngsters travelling with the squad and I think it's a good sign again for the club. The gaffer also has confidence to bring them along into the first team and when he needs to throw them in, like with Reidy, he knows he has that option "Reidy's a pretty quiet lad but he's got a lot of confidence.

"On the pitch, he gets the ball and can run at defenders, he terrorised a few at reserve level and he wasn't afraid to test the West Brom lads out.

"I think he had a few nerves as we started, it's his Premiership debut, a big occasion and he's only 18, but he was determined that it wouldn't just pass him by."