MARK Bentley hopes the arrival of Jack Stevenson will help Canvey Island to discover their nasty side.

Stevenson has joined the Gulls from Isthmian North rivals Great Wakering Rovers and made his debut in the thrilling 3-3 draw with Felixstowe & Walton United in midweek.

The midfielder is in line to retain his place in the side when Canvey make the short trip to Aveley tomorrow and Bentley believes Stevenson will prove to be valuable off the pitch as well as on it.

“I threw Jack straight into the team at Felixstowe and it was great to see him already trying to dictate play,” said Gulls boss Bentley.

“He is also a bit nasty in the dressing room, but I want that.

“We have nice players in our squad. I wanted someone to come in and get amongst them because that will result in the players raising their game.

“It’s important that we become a horrible to team to play against and Jack is the type of player that can allow us to achieve that.”

Stevenson joined Wakering in the summer but moved on to Romford soon after former Billericay Town owner Glenn Tamplin took over the Isthmian North strugglers.

However, Stevenson’s stay at Romford did not go according to plan as he made just one appearance before returning to Wakering.

During his two spells with Wakering, Stevenson found the back of the net on eight occasions and Bentley is pleased to have welcomed a goalscoring midfielder.

“At this level, Jack is a very good player technically and vocally,” added Bentley.

“He is a confident boy and the move happened very quickly.

“We put a seven-day request in and Wakering let us speak to him straightaway.

“Jack didn’t hesitate in making the move, which was great because it allowed us to get him through the door sooner than expected.

“He brings goals and can play anywhere in midfield.

“Jack probably operates best in a three-man midfield, but he is a fantastic player to have in our side.”

Canvey are set to visit Parkside to face promotion-chasing Aveley this weekend.

The Millers, who made club history by reaching the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy last month, are third in the Isthmian North standings and on course to challenge for a place in the third tier of non-league football.

Meanwhile, 10th-placed Canvey are 12 points adrift of the play-off places.

And Bentley is not willing to put pressure on his players.

“We are going to win as many games as we can between now and the end of the season,” insisted Bentley.

“There are 11 games left in our campaign and we will see where we end up.

“We are 12 points off the play-offs and our current form would suggest we are not going to make that ground up.

“It’s important that we take the pressure off the players.”