BASILDON youngster James Tomkins is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after dislocating his shoulder for the second time this season.

The West Ham defender, who turned 18 in March, suffered a recurrence of the injury while in action for the Hammers reserves in their 4-0 Barclays Premiership Reserve League South defeat against Reading on Tuesday.

Tomkins, an England Under-18 international, was hurt as he challenged Royals' striker Shane Long for a high ball, just nine minutes after appearing as a second half substitute.

The former Chalvedon School pupil will now have surgery in the hope that it will clear-up his long-standing right shoulder problem.

"It was the last game of the season, and I came on with about half-an-hour to go, and I did it within five minutes or so," said Tomkins.

"I went up for a challenge, and he got up before me. I used my arm to jump, as you do, and as I did it came out again.

"I've obviously got a weakness there, and the only way it's going to get stronger is to have it operated on."

Despite the disappointment of facing another lay-off, Tomkins is staying positive, and is aiming to gain first team experience by going out on loan next season.

"If there is a good time for something like this to happen, I suppose it is at the end of the season, but it has been frustrating time for me with injuries," he said.

"It's been that sort of season. I started really well in the pre-season playing in the first team, but then I dislocated my shoulder and I've had a few other niggly injuries.

"I'll have the summer to rehab and hopefully I'll be back in time for pre-season training."

Tomkins will have a scan on his shoulder this week is expected to go under the knife later this month.

In the meantime, the teenager is planning a trip to Upton Park to cheer on his first team colleagues in their crunch Premiership clash with Bolton Wanderers this weekend before jetting off to Greece with his girlfriend.

>West Ham fans who want to quiz the club's bosses can do so at a forum being held at Upton Park on May 22.

The event will give supporters the opportunity to put their questions to deputy chief executive Scott Duxbury and finance director Nick Igoe.

Any Hammers fans wishing to attend the forum, which starts at 7pm, can apply for tickets by logging on to www.whufc.com and filling in the application form before 5pm on Friday, May 11.