With the international fixture calendar robbing us of first team football, attention turns to the reserves and Academy, where plenty has been going on.

A run of three games undefeated, coupled with a number of players making the step up to reserve football, has left youth team coach Dermot Drummy with a smile on his face.

'Overall I am really pleased,' he said. 'I went to the reserves on Monday night and saw Billy Knott and Milan Lalkovic score, Billy Clifford came on in a holding role and Josh McEachran was playing too, and they look accomplished.

'Pushing up schoolboy Danny Mills and around six youth team players from the beginning of the season is very good and shows what standard we set at the Academy.'

The Academy's most recent match was Saturday's 3-2 win over Portsmouth at Cobham. Despite the victory, Drummy feels there was plenty to work on for his players.

'In terms of performances we were a bit disappointing on Saturday, although we won against Portsmouth, it was a game we could have lost due to our mentality and application. I let the boys know that we were not happy with that but they have responded in training,' he explained.

'We did some reflection and explained why we didn't feel they had reached the standard we expect. The main problem was the midfield shape, they were too tight and taking too many touches, losing possession and giving unrealistic passes, which is not like us. If we're good at one thing, it's moving the ball quickly. That's the standard we set and they have taken it on board.'

As with squads everywhere, the Academy has not been without its injuries, and added Austrian forward Philipp Prosenik to the casualty list at the weekend.

'Philipp sustained mild concussion against Portsmouth and has been out, so we have to rest him. He may be okay for West Ham Saturday but we're not sure yet,' said Drummy.

He had news on a player who has not played this season due to a knee problem. 'Rohan Ince has started twisting and turning in his running and is looking quite good. James Ashton is unfortunate because he has picked up another knock in training this week.

Despite that, West Ham is a game we should be quite strong for because there is no reserve game, so it will be interesting to see how those lads apply themselves coming back down.'

The one occasion where the Academy will always field the strongest available side is the FA Youth Cup, and the draw for the third round takes place this Friday.

'The vibes are very good,' the coach smiled. 'Everyone has a buzz and it gives us a bit of pressure. We want to do well, and it's the one time where results are more important than performances.

'We will give ourselves the best chance of winning by selecting the best players available. Everyone gets a bit edgy but that's a taster of what the first team have to do week in week out. We relish it, and whoever we get we will make sure we are fully prepared and give it our best shot.'

The second string meanwhile , under Steve Holland, has had competitive matches on successive Mondays, turning in two impressive performances against more experienced opposition in Stoke City and Fulham.

This week, Chelsea came from behind three times at Brentford to earn a point against our west London neighbours, a fantastic show of character from the youngsters despite the absence of major players.

Still around for that game though were international call-ups Daniel Sturridge (England Under 21s) and Jeffrey Bruma (Holland Under 21s), but a number of Under 19 players had already departed.

They include Jan Sebek, Jacopo Sala and Conor Clifford, who have all impressed in reserve team action this season.

Also absent was Gael Kakuta, who has been given the all-clear to play again after his ban was suspended. His coach had been hopeful that the French youngster would be available to play, but instead was called up for a trio of friendlies with his national side.

The other lads all have three European Championship qualifying pictures. Czech Sebek faces Cyprus, Malta and Holland over the next week, while Italian Sala may come up against the Irish Clifford when the two countries meet next week. They have also been grouped with Albania and San Marino.

There was also great news for striker Fabio Borini with the 18-year-old receiving his first call-up to the Italy Under 21 squad. The side coached by former Blue Pierluigi Casiraghi plays Hungary on Friday and Luxembourg on Tuesday.

There are also two pieces of administrative news to report.

Firstly, goalkeeper Rhys Taylor has signed a new contract with the club that lasts until 2012. The 19-year-old stopper has featured twice for the reserves this season.

Finally, Lee Sawyer, who had most recently been on loan with Southend United, has had his contract terminated.

Sawyer, 20, had featured as an unused substitute under Luiz Felipe Scolari, and has also played on loan with Wycombe and Coventry. We wish him well for the future.