Josh Clarke believes that he has what it takes to break into the Brentford starting XI but admits that he will need to work hard this season to achieve that goal.

The 21-year-old signed a one-year contract extension earlier this week to take him through to the summer of 2016.

Josh has recently converted from a right-winger to right-back and feels that he shares a lot of similar traits with The Bees current first choice right-back Moses Odubajo.

Speaking to Bees Player after signing his new deal Josh said: “I was surprised that I got another year. I am playing in a new position at right-back so I need to keep working.

“The coaching staff said that I was playing well at right-back and they were comparing me to Moses Odubajo. He was doing really well in the Sky Bet Championship. We have both got pace and are very similar but he has got more experience. I have only been playing at right-back for three months but I have been doing pretty well there.

“Moses is a good player but I feel that to reach the highest level you have to be yourself. Moses is a good player and I look up to him as a role model.”

Josh has made three appearances for Brentford’s first-team since joining from park football as a 17-year-old as well as one substitute appearance for Stevenage in Sky Bet League Two last season.

The right-back is keen to add to that number this season and feels it is crucial for his development that he finds first-team football either at Griffin Park or out on loan.

“I think I need to either play first-team football here or go out on loan to get more experience because I think that I can play a high level of football,” said Josh. “My pace, strength and end product are all improving. I feel that I have the pace to get up and down as well as the tricks in the final third. I am really keen to get out on loan to fulfil my potential and play at the highest level that I can.”

Having only played at right-back for three months Josh believes there are still areas of his game that he needs to work on, especially when it comes to defence.

However he said that he is really looking forward to pre-season both as a chance to improve the areas of his game that need improving but also as a chance to impress new Brentford Head Coach Marinus Dijkhuizen.

“It has been hard moving because defensively I am not really up to scratch,” said Josh. “Hopefully in pre-season I can work on things defensively with the new gaffer and the members of staff around the place. Any player will say that when a new manager comes in things might change so it is best for me to get my head down and work really hard.”

Watch the full interview with Josh below