Mark Noble is happy seeing James Tomkins pen a new deal with West Ham United.

Noble wrote for whufc.com: "I was delighted to see Tonks sign a new long-term contract recently and it's great to see the home-grown players representing this Club.

"We have seen a few of the Academy boys in the squad, but it's getting a lot harder to break into the first team - and that's the same for young players at every Premier League club.

"The mental side of playing in the Premier League now and the pressure on clubs financially to stay in it makes it more difficult for them to bring youngsters in, especially if they are fighting against relegation."