SOUTHEND United play-off hero Daniel Bentley has revealed he is to be offered a new contract by the Shrimpers.

The Blues shotstopper made two stunning saves during a dramatic penalty shoot-out to help Phil Brown’s side secure a memorable victory in Saturday’s final against Wycombe Wanderers at Wembley.

And the Wickford based 21-year-old, whose current deal expires at the end of next season, is now set to be rewarded with a new contract in a bid to extend his spell with the Shrimpers.

“It is my understanding that I will be offered a new contract,” revealed Bentley.

“My agent and I will be sitting down with the club to talk about it all and I’m happy to do that.

“I know there has been a little bit of speculation about my future but I’m very happy with what we've achieved this year and I enjoy being a Southend player.

“I only ever focus on what happens on the pitch but right now I’m also making sure I enjoy this promotion we’ve just won as well.”

Bentley initially seemed set for a frustrating end to the season when he inadvertently deflected Joe Jacobson’s free-kick into the back of his own net.

However, an injury-time equaliser from Joe Pigott cancelled out that fortuitous effort before Bentley took centre stage in the penalty shoot-out to earn himself what must surely be a unique Wembley achievement.

“There can’t be too many people who have scored at Wembley and then also saved two penalties,” joked Bentley.

“Their goal was a freak but coming back like we did hasn’t really sunk in yet if I’m honest.

“It still feels really surreal and like it didn’t really happen but every day I get tagged in pictures and see and hear a few other things and it actually reminds me what happened!”

But Bentley, who has been linked with a switch to West Ham United since the heroics in the play-off final, was forced to miss out on some of the celebrations that followed the final whistle after he was sent to carry out a drugs test.

“Our physiotherapist Ben Clarkson came up to me after the game and told me I had been picked for a random drugs test so I missed a lot of celebrations in the dressing room,” said Bentley.

“It was a bit of a shame but you have to do what you have to do.”

Bentley now plans to enjoy his summer break before returning for pre-season at the start of July.

But he is not yet exactly sure when the Shrimpers will be heading back ahead of the forthcoming League One campaign.

“We’ve not gone into too much detail about how much time we’re going to get off because it’s all been a bit of a whirlwind but I think we’ve earmarked July 6.

"I’m sure we will get confirmation soon but last year I was out running on the beach while I was on holiday so maybe I might end up doing that again!”