WEST Ham United’s pre-season preparations got underway with a goalless draw against Sturm Graz II.

The Hammers have been training in Austria for the past week.

And Slaven Bilic’s side were put through their paces against the Austrian side in Bad Waltersdorf.

The West Ham boss fielded two different sides in each half in a bid to give both his experienced stars and youngsters an opportunity to impress ahead of the new Premier League season.

Despite creating several chances in both halves, the Irons were unable to find a breakthrough up against young and spirited opponents.

Mark Noble captained the east London side in the first half side, which also included debutant Pablo Zabaleta following his free transfer from Manchester City, but the Hammers nearly fell behind early on.

Sturm Graz II found a way past Adrian inside the opening 10 minutes, but the effort was ruled out for offside.

Eight minutes later, promising prospect Nathan Holland came close to finding Ashley Fletcher, but the former Manchester United man could not connect with the midfielder’s dangerous pass across the face of goal.

With 30 minutes on the clock, Adrian was forced into action as he made an impressive save to deny Romano Schmid.

Andre Ayew came close to breaking the deadlock before half time, but his powerful strike was batted away.

The final chance of the half came when Holland was fouled on the edge of the box, but Noble saw his curling free-kick deflected over the crossbar.

The second half saw Aaron Cresswell handed the captain’s armband, while ex-St Thomas More High School for Boys pupil Josh Cullen was brought on in the heart of West Ham’s midfield.

Cullen spent last season on loan with League One side Bradford City, where he impressed.

Championship duo Bolton Wanderers and Queens Park Rangers have registered their interest in the Westcliff-born 21-year-old but it appears as though Bilic is willing to give Cullen a chance to stake a claim for a midfield berth.

Manuel Lanzini nearly opened the scoring within five minutes of the restart, but his volley was blocked.

Cullen looked bright and saw a shot deflected wide after 64 minutes, but the Hammers could not find the back of the net.

West Ham’s preparations will continue in Austria, ahead of their friendly against Championship side Fulham on Thursday.