West Ham United youngster Junior Stanislas is relishing the opportunity to lock horns with Premier League giants Chelsea in the FA Cup third round this weekend.
The England Under-19 international is currently on loan with League One side Southend United, where he has netted three goals in six appearances. Two of those goals came in the 3-1 FA Cup second round win over Luton Town, a result that set up Saturday's daunting trip to Stamford Bridge. There, Stanislas is planning to upstage former Hammers Frank Lampard and Joe Cole and fire the Shrimpers to a shock victory over the Blues.
"I've played against some very good players and teams already during my career but this will be the biggest test I've had so far. Everyone knows just how good Chelsea are so it will be a real test for me but it's one I'm looking forward to. These are the type of games I want to play in and if I keep working hard then hopefully I can do it every week one day."
Winger Stanislas was in impressive form for West Ham's reserve team before being snapped up on a temporary basis by the Essex side in the final week of November. Having headed down the A13, the 19-year-old has made a big impact for Steve Tilson's side with both his goals and his exciting style of play. Those performances have confirmed the thoughts of those around the Boleyn Ground who believe Stanislas is set for a bright future in the game.
"I'm learning and getting better all the time by playing these games. That was always the aim and I'm enjoying it. It's been better for me than playing in the reserves and I think I've been playing quite well so hopefully I can keep that going."
While Southend will be huge outsiders to cause an FA Cup upset in west London this weekend, Stanislas is eager to make a name for both himself and his team-mates. Southend beat Manchester United en route to the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup three seasons ago and the teenager would love nothing more than to make history again against Luis Felipe Scolari's star-studded squad.
"All we can do is go there and just give it everything we've got. It's a really difficult game but there's no pressure on us so we need to put in a good shift and then see what happens. They have a few former West Ham players like Frank Lampard and Joe Cole but they were a bit before my time. It will be great to play against them though and the dream is to try and make sure it isn't a one off."
Loan latest
While Bondz 'Gala (MK Dons) and Josh Payne (Cheltenham Town) are also back at West Ham United, Nigel Quashie, Jimmy Walker are set for longer stays at Birmingham City and Colchester United respectively. It remains to be seen if Blackpool will continue Kyel Reid's impressive loan with them while Jordan Spence is due back at the club from Leyton Orient on Monday.