My pal Rudd won't let anyone down

Chris Lakey Tom Adeyemi has backed Declan Rudd's claims for a full senior start tonight - and is hoping to join him after a recent spell watching from the wings. Rudd looks certain to start against Leyton Orient after his heroics at Gillingham on Saturday, when he came on for the red-carded Fraser Forster.

Chris Lakey

Tom Adeyemi has backed Declan Rudd's claims for a full senior start tonight - and is hoping to join him after a recent spell watching from the wings.

Rudd looks certain to start against Leyton Orient after his heroics at Gillingham on Saturday, when he came on for the red-carded Fraser Forster.

With Forster banned tonight, Adeyemi is confident his fellow Academy product won't let anyone down if called upon.

"He's a really confident lad around us youngsters and I think he will do really well," said 17-year-old Adeyemi. "He is a commanding presence so I think he'll be fine.

"He made a couple of great saves (on Saturday) and I think he showed why he plays for England and why he's able to be the number two goalkeeper at such a young age."

Adeyemi, Rudd, Korey Smith and Luke Daley are the latest bunch of youngsters to emerge from the Academy set-up, joining more senior colleagues Michael Spillane and Chris Martin - and Darel Russell and Jamie Cureton, who emerged in the 1990s - in a squad which is beginning to take on more of a home-grown look.

"Obviously we all played together last year in the FA Youth Cup and the Academy League and it's just great to be able to see some of my team-mates coming through and getting chances in the first team," added Adeyemi.

And that's exactly what the straight A-grade student from Norwich High School wants for himself as he continues his lessons on football's learning curve.

With Smith possibly moving to right back in the absence of the injured Jon Otsemobor and fitness issues over others, Adeyemi could get his opportunity tonight.

"Obviously there are a few injuries so there could be a chance for me to either be on the bench again and come on or maybe get a start," he said. "That would be good - just to be able to play.

"I've done a lot of hard work on the training pitches to keep in the manager's thoughts. I've been on the bench the last few games and not been able to get on and hopefully I'll get my chance.

"It's nice to be around the squad, but I just want to get minutes on the pitch and get involved and show people what I can do."

Adeyemi has been on the bench for each of Lambert's six league games in charge, with three appearances, but hasn't kicked a ball in anger in each of the last two games.

"To be pulled from it in a way is a bit frustrating but it's good to be around it," he said. "At least I'm not been taken completely out of it.

"At least time is on my side. I have got hopefully a number of years ahead of me to get a place in the starting XI."

Adeyemi's view from the touchline at Gillingham impressed him.

"It was really good, with what happened in the game a point was really good for us to come out with," he said. "It was really difficult - watching from the side you could see everyone was really tired so it was good to be able to push and get that draw."