SIMON Royce is backing Daniel Bentley to follow in his footsteps and become a Premier League goalkeeper.

Royce lined up for Charlton Athletic and Leicester City in the top flight after leaving Southend United.

And the 47-year-old feels Bentley - who he coached at Brentford for the past two seasons - is more than capable of making the step up.

“Daniel can definitely play at the top level and he’s had a great grounding,” Royce told the ‘Have I Got Blues for You’ podcast.

“He’s played in League Two, League One and he took to the Championship like a duck to water.

“His attitude and willingness to work hard is second to none.

“His work ethic is phenomenal and that’s half the battle.”

Bentley, who grew up in Wickford, came through the youth ranks at Roots Hall and went on to make 160 first team appearances before joining Brentford in 2016.

Bentley has also impressed with the Bees, who currently sit second in the Championship.

And Royce was instrumental in Bentley heading to Griffin Park.

“When I was coaching at Brentford the club asked me to look for a new number one when it looked like David Button would be moving on to Fulham and Daniel was someone who had been on my radar for a while,” said Royce, who is based in Hullbridge.

“I had been aware of him for 12 to 18 months before that and had watched games and footage as well.

“I knew he was a local boy like myself and that he had come through the ranks at Southend more than I did really.

“But he joined Brentford and I was with him for two seasons there.

“He really has gone from strength to strength.”

Bentley will make his 100th appearance for Brentford when they face Ipswich Town at Portman Road tonight.

And Bentley also has ambitions to play higher.

“I never look too far ahead and don’t think I should be playing in the Premier League now but I do have certain goals and ambitions to get there in the future,” said Bentley.

“I’ve always wanted to do that and play for England too but that should be all players’ ambition.”

Bentley kept another clean sheet to help Brentford beat Wigan Athletic 2-0 at the weekend and Dean Smith’s side are now just a point behind the leaders Leeds United.

l For the full Simon Royce interview, listen to this week’s ‘Have I Got Blues for You’ podcast which is available on iTunes.