Ex-AFC Telford youngster Jake Bennett makes the grade with Sheffield United

The 21-year-old wide man played 58 minutes of the Blades' 3-2 Carabao Cup victory over Walsall last week.

From Aqueduct, he used to go Telford College of Arts and Technology and is the cousin of current football league stars Elliott and Kyle Bennett.

Bennett joined the Championship side from Evo-Stik Northern Premier outfit Mickleover Sports at the end of December.

"I was at Telford for around a year and a half to two years. Then I went to Market Drayton and Mickleover after that," he said.

"I did well at Mickleover and a few clubs were interested. When Sheffield United offered me a contract, I could not turn that down.

"I am looking to see what happens this year and hopefully get a few more chances.

"I am hoping, if not this year, I'll get a chance next year.

"Sheffield United is a massive club, they were in the Premier League before and it would be great to be there again."

Bennett was given a run in the Telford team in 2013, when John Psaras was in interim charge.

He moved on to Market Drayton soon after Liam Watson took over at the New Bucks Head though, showing good signs there before flourishing at Derbyshire club Mickleover.

Bennett feels the rough and tumble of non-league did him the world of good, and said: "I was at Wolves from the age of seven up until I was 14.

"Then I played Sunday football for a bit and then went into non-league.

"Being in non-league helped me, when I was 16 I was playing mens football and got four years of it under my belt.

"That puts me in a good position. When I was at Mickleover, we had a few lads from Chesterfield and Mansfield – it was a good experience."

Bennett hopes to emulate cousins Elliot and Kyle – the former featuring in the Premier League for Norwich City before moving on to Blackburn Rovers, while the latter recently penned a new three-year contract at Portsmouth.

Elliott took to Twitter to congratulate his cousin on his Blades bow, posting: "Buzzing for my cousin @Jakebenno96 making his @SUFC_tweets debut tonight. Worked so hard to get to this day. Enjoy it jake (sic)"

Bennett said: "Hopefully I can do well like them.

"Elliot has played in the Premier League and Kyle could still make it there.

"I have just got to keep working hard."

He added: "I am just looking to get more appearances and game time, building my experience.

"I was nervous at the start of my debut, because you are looking to impress, but you get calmer with more experience."