With the introduction of fellow central defender Angelo Ogbonna, James Tomkins’ place in the West Ham United side hasn't been guaranteed this season, writes Fan’s View columnist Kat Alder.

Ogbonna is back to training with the first team this week and will hope to start alongside Winston Reid against Crystal Palace on Saturday; does this mean Tomkins should lose his place in the team?

Tonks had been playing at right back when Carl Jenkinson was banned, and did an impressive job - especially as Jenko himself hasn’t been in top form so far in this campaign.

After my initial enthusiasm for him to extend his stay with us, I haven’t been too impressed with Jenkinson so far.

He seems quite sloppy compared to last season, and both him and Aaron Cresswell have been guilty of giving away cheap goals. Plus, looking ahead into next year, if we don’t get secure Jenkinson on a permanent deal, Tomkins would be the ideal replacement as he has already proven himself to be fully competent in the role at full-back.

We’ve been undefeated this season when Tomkins has started the game, earning all 14 of our points when he’s been in the starting line-up.

Tomkins has been very vocal about enjoying life under new boss Slaven Bilic, expressing how keen he is to learn from the Croat, and what a presence the new manager has.

Being under new leadership is clearly suiting him, and there has been a marked improvement in his form since last season.

Former Hammers boss Sam Allardyce is reportedly looking to strengthen his Sunderland defence with the addition of Tomkins in January, with free agent and ex-captain Kevin Nolan also rumoured to be moving back to the north East.

I can’t see why Tomkins would want to leave his local team who are flying high to join a club who are likely to face relegation to the Championship come May. Plus he’d stick out like a sore thumb in the north with his ‘Essex boy’ fake tan!

For me, Tomkins has put in a string of solid performances so far this season and he doesn’t deserve to lose his place in the starting XI.

He’s getting better under Bilic and is playing some of the best football of his career. I would be inclined to move him over to right-back when Ogbonna reclaims his starting spot with Reid and bench Jenkinson.

We’ve always got Ginge (James Collins) waiting in the wings if needed too.

This year’s squad has plenty of depth and strength – something I haven’t felt able to say about West Ham for a while. If this is a headache for Slaven Bilic, it’s a lovely one to have.