Loan-star Alan Bennett has told Brentford boss Andy Scott to sign him permanently in January - or risk losing him for good.

The Reading defender has been in formidable form at the heart of the Bees backline, but is due to return to the Madejski in the New Year.

He is out of contract with the Royals in the summer, and admits he has no future with Steve Coppell's side.

But the Republic of Ireland international has told Scott he doesn't want another loan deal.

He said: "If something happens in January, I think it will be permanent. I would be keen to stay here if there's a good offer.

"I want to get my future sorted. I would really have to think about another loan because that takes me to the end of my Reading contract."

The 27-year-old has failed to make an appearance for the Championship outfit, and had a loan spell with Southampton last year.

But former Cork City man Bennett has played twice for his country during that time, and still has ambitions of playing for Giovanni Trapattoni's side.

"I've still got a lot of ambition left," he said. "I need to be playing as high a level as I can if I'm to get back into the Ireland set-up.

"I haven't lived up to expectations since I joined Reading. But I've got unfinished business in the Championship, whether at Reading or elsewhere."

Scott's high-flying Bees go into Saturday's clash with Darlington four points behind the League Two leaders. But Bennett insists they've nothing to fear.

He added: "Only Shrewsbury have shown us so far they're going to be in the mix. No-one has really challenged us."

John Halls and Gary Smith miss out, but Marvin Williams could return. [25a0] THE Bees will visit Barrow in the second round of the FA Cup on Saturday week after they thrashed Eastbourne Borough 4-0 in Tuesday night's replay.