Chris Mepham is set to stay at Brentford for the rest of the season after signing a two year contract last week.
The young defender made his senior debut in the Bees' 5-1 win over Eastleigh when he replaced Harlee Dean with 10 minutes remaining.
Mepham is behind Dean, Andreas Bjelland, Yoann Barbet and John Egan in the pecking order but, after Emmanuel Onariase went on loan, he will not be doing so as well.
“It (a loan) has been discussed but I'll stay at Brentford this season. I'm only 19 and Manny has gone out on loan. I'll stay at Brentford for now and see what happens next season.”
Mepham paid tribute to the senior centre backs and also revealed Dean's words of encouragement as he went off.
“There's a lot of competition and it keeps you focused. The manager has put his trust in me,” Mepham added.
“Even when I've been training with them they've been encouraging me and talking me through the game.
“Harlee just said go and smash it. I tried to go out there and do what he said.”
Mepham's introduction was the culmination of a dream for him but he wants that to only be seen as the start and not a fleeting moment.
“I wasn't too sure if I was going to come on and that's the moment I was waiting for as a little kid,” he explained.
“Hopefully it's just the start and there's more to come. I'm hoping I can play more games.
“I'd like to think I'm a technical centre half and can play at the right of a three.”
