Think of Steve Tilson's best ever signings and Freddy Eastwood, Adam Barrett and Nicky Bailey immediately spring to mind.

But another shrewd purchase from the Blues boss is also starting to emerge and it is one he actually made eight years ago.

For when the 42-year-old was working as the club's director of youth he snapped up Leigh based youngster Justin Hazell.

The midfielder has since progressed through the ranks at Roots Hall and has now scored five goals in seven starts for the under 18 side this season.

Hazell will be looking to continue that fine form in tonight's home FA Youth Cup clash against Brentford, which kicks off at 7pm.

And he cannot wait to face the Bees.

"I've been with Southend since I was eight and this is a competition I've always wanted to play in," said the former Westcliff High School pupil who is now 16-years-old.

"I've watched others playing in the games before and wished it was me.

"But tonight it will be and if we don't make it as professionals then the FA Youth Cup games are the biggest ones we're ever go to play in."

Hazell, who is a first year scholar, is aiming to impress and also improve as he strives to achieve a life-long dream of playing professionally for the Blues.

And, having already been handed one contract by Tilson, he is now chasing another.

"That's obviously the main aim and it would be a dream come true if it happened," he said.

"I used to go and watch Southend whenever I could get a ticket and my mates were always going too.

"That's why it was great when I got scouted playing for Leigh Rockets. I came in for a trial and Steve Tilson, who was the youth development officer at the time, signed me.

"Hopefully it won't be the last contract he offers me."

Tilson will again be watching tonight and Hazell is confident of setting up a second round clash at home to Thurrock.

"I think it's good we got Brentford because we're at home and if we were up against a lesser team then we could've taken them for granted," he said.

"But we know we have to be on form to beat them and I think we can do it."

Blues' youth team are currently top of the Youth Alliance League and have lost just once all season.

Last term they set a club record by reaching the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup.

And their manager Ricky Duncan is now seeking more of the same.

"It would be great if we could emulate that but first of all we have to deal with Brentford," he said.

"We beat them away 2-1 last season but it was very tight and it will be again tonight.

"The aim is to at least reach the third round and it's always special playing in the FA Youth Cup because it's the nearest the boys can get to playing a real first team game at this stage."

Southend will be missing defender Ricky Byrne (hamstring) for tonight's clash while there are also doubts over star midfielder Medi Abalimba and Swedish striker Fredrik Ljungstrom who have hamstring problems.