DANIEL Bentley wants to face a full-strength Chelsea team in the fourth round of the FA Cup this weekend.

The former Southend United goalkeeper will start between the sticks for Brentford at Stamford Bridge.

And the 23-year-old, who grew up in Wickford, is keen to test himself against the Premier League leaders’ top stars.

“Whoever Chelsea pick it’s going to be a strong team but from my point of view I would love it if they played their very best team with the likes of Costa and Hazard in it,” said Bentley.

“As a player you want to test yourself against the best and they’re top of the league at the moment so there’s no better than them in the country right now.

“It’s going to be extremely difficult but I’m really excited about it.

“When the draw was being made you want to be paired with one of the top teams and that’s exactly what happened.

“My phone was going crazy when we got Chelsea and the first person I spoke to was my nan who didn’t quite understand why it was a good draw.

“She said she felt sorry for me because she wanted us to win but I had to tell her it was a good thing!

“Now the game is nearly upon us I can think about it a lot more and it’s going to be great.

“We’ve sold out our allocation of 6,000 so it’s going to be a brilliant atmosphere and we’ll be giving it everything we’ve got.”

Among those watching will be 18 of Bentley’s family and friends.

And he is relishing his first senior appearance at a Premier League ground.

“It will be a great place to go and play,” said the former Bromfords School pupil.

“I have my own little posse going but it’s not quite the 52 I had going to Wembley for the play-off final with Southend.

“I’m lucky to have that kind of support and have between three and 10 people at every game which is great when they’re coming all the way from Wickford.

“It means a lot and Saturday will be special but we’re going there to play well and give Chelsea a test.

“It’s definitely not a nice day out because if I wanted one of them I would go down Southend sea-front!”

Brentford head into the game sitting 15th in the Championship but Bentley is keen for the Bees to perform more consistently.

“When we’re on our day I don’t think any team can beat us in our league but we need to play like that more often,” the keeper added.

Echo:

Daniel Bentley - eager to impress at Stamford Bridge

BENTLEY KEEN TO FOLLOW IN BLUES' FOOT-STEPS

DANIEL Bentley will be looking to follow in Southend United’s foot-steps when he steps out at Stamford Bridge this weekend.

A last-gasp Peter Clarke equaliser secured the Shrimpers a 1-1 draw at Chelsea in 2009 before Steve Tilson’s side were beaten 4-1 in the Roots Hall replay, despite taking the lead through Adam Barrett.

And Bentley, who vividly recalls watching those encounters, is now keen to sample more of the same.

“The matches Southend had with Chelsea took place before I was with the club but I watched them as a fan and remember all about them,” said Bentley.

“I know Peter Clarke scored and Steve Mildenhall made a great save right at the end before Adam Barrett put Southend ahead in the replay with a header from a corner.

“I know all Southend fans must have been in dreamland at that point and hopefully we’ll be able to sample something similar on Saturday.

“It does show what’s possible in the FA Cup and we have to make sure we go into the game in a confident frame of mind.”

Bentley came through the youth ranks at Roots Hall and made 160 appearances for the Shrimpers’ first team before moving on to join Brentford at the end of last season.

A recent Football League tribunal ordered the Bees to pay £1.1million for the highly-rated 23-year-old, who grew up in Wickford.

And Bentley is relishing lining up in the Championship.

“I’ve really enjoyed the season so far,” said the former Bromfords School pupil.

“We’ve had an inconsistent spell but hopefully we can get ourselves up the league again, after a good performance in the FA Cup of course.”

However, Bentley will not be the only south-Essex star involved in the fourth round of the FA Cup this weekend.

Rayleigh based striker Paul Hayes will be in the Wycombe Wanderers squad to face Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane while Neil Harris, who lives in Eastwood, will be hoping to guide his Millwall team to glory at home to Watford.

Former FitzWimarc School teachers Danny and Nicky Cowley will also be looking to secure an upset when National League leaders Lincoln City host Brighton & Hove Albion.