SOUTHEND United goalkeeper Daniel Bentley insists he has not been affected by the uncertainty surrounding his future.

Bentley, who will line up between the sticks at Scunthorpe United in the first round of the FA Cup tomorrow, continues to be linked with a move away from Roots Hall.

But Bentley is only interested in impressing for Blues.

“There has been uncertainty around my future for a couple of years now so if I’m not used to dealing with it by now then I never will be,” said the Wickford based 22-year-old.

“I just focus on what happens on the pitch because what happens off it is down to other parties and other people.

“If I lose focus then my performances would go downhill but that hasn’t happened.

“I made a mistake at Gillingham and I apologise for that but I’ve still been happy with my form and my consistency this season.”

However, Bentley has not been pleased with the number of goals the Shrimpers have already conceded this season.

And the shot-stopper wants tomorrow’s cup clash to be the start of sterner defensive displays from Southend.

“We’ve got a large number of clean sheets in the last few seasons but our clean sheet ratio this season isn’t where we would like it to be at the moment,” said Bentley.

“We need to be tighter at the back to make sure we don’t concede more sloppy goals and we’ve got the personnel here to make sure we don’t.”

Blues have let in seven goals in their last four outings.

But Bentley will not be mulling over any mistakes which may have been made.

“Mistakes are part and parcel of being a goalkeeper, a footballer and a human and it’s something I have the mental strength to deal with,” said the shot-stopper, who attracted an offer of £1.25million from Queens Park Rangers earlier on in the season.

“I pride myself on how I deal with good and bad situations.

“I don’t get carried away when things are going well and I don’t get too disheartened when they’re not.

“I’m certainly not holding my head down or moping about a mistake.

“I’m just looking forward to tomorrow’s game.”

And, after three matches without a win, Bentley is also desperate to get back to come out on top against the Iron.

“It’s been a frustrating few weeks for us,” said Bentley.

“We’ve taken a look at ourselves in the mirror, we’ve dusted ourselves down and we will go again.

“We have an opportunity to get back to winning ways at Scunthorpe but we will certainly need to be more resilient than we have been.”