Brentford will do their damnedest to send John Swift back to Chelsea - ready made for the neighbours first team - or as close as they can get him.

The on-loan midfielder is expected to feature for England U21s later today against Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Bees boss Lee Carsley revealed it was a case of if you can’t beat him - get a great talent to join you.

Swift and Chelsea faced Carsley at U21 level last term where as Brentford development manager, the current head coach got a taste of just how good a player the 20-year-old is.

“We’ve got a good link-up with Chelsea and he was one of those players that always did well playing against us,” the gaffer added.

“He got four goals in the two games, I think, so he was a player I was keen to get straight away (when I took over).

Impressed: Lee Carsley

Carsley reckons his loanee is headed for the big time not least because of Swift’s genial personality.

“I like him as a lad first and foremost,” Carsley said. “What he brings to the team is there for everyone to see: his skill. He’s got a massive appetite for the game; he wants to get better.

"He still has got a lot of development in him, and the fact Chelsea have trusted us with a player they hold in high regard is a massive pat on the back for us.”

Swift is on loan until January, but Carsley and co reckon a few more games in the Championship will only add to his admirers.

“We’ve got responsibly to Chelsea to send back a better player than what left,” he added.