Ravel Morrison has been included in the Hammers 22-man squad for the e July tour of New Zealand.

And interestingly Modibo Maiga is also included but it apparently there is no place for Alou Diarra on the exciting pre-season trip.

The squad has been published by a Kiwi newspaper and appears to confirm co-chairman David Gold’s often mentioned view t hat Morrison will enjoy a full pre-season with the Hammers.

Things can change – and ClaretandHugh is aware of a meeting between the board and Ravel ahead of the tour – but that the midfielder has been named will be seen as a big positive for those who hope he has a future at the club.

We understand the party to be as follows:

Andy Carroll, Leo Chambers, Carlton Cole, James Collins, Guy Demel, Mohamed Diame, Stewart Downing, Jussi Jaaskelainen, Matthew Jarvis, Modibo Maiga, Ravel Morrison, Mark Noble, Kevin Nolan, Joey O’Brien, Winston Reid, Adrian, Raphael Spiegel, James Tomkins, Ricardo Vaz Te, Mauro Zarate, Danny Whitehead.

We understand the squad was named ahead of Cheikhou Kouyaté signing for the club and the midfielder/defender is likely to be added to the squad.