Brentford defender Alan Bennett has admitted he still has ambitions of returning to the Republic of Ireland set-up and believes that can be achieved at Griffin Park.

The 27-year-old, who signed a two year contract with the club over the summer, won the first of his two only international caps for his country in a 1-1 draw with Ecuador in front of 28,000 fans at New York’s Giants Stadium in 2007.

Bennett, who also faced Bolivia in Boston two days later, was a Reading player at the time, but has fallen out of the reckoning since falling out of favour at the Madjeski and dropping down to help the Bees lift the League Two title last season.

Brentford’s return to League One means the Cork-born centre back is heading in the right direction and he is confident his choice to make the move to west London permanent in the summer will pay dividends when it comes to fulfilling all his ambitions.

“It was a really great experience and a very proud moment when I sang the national anthem and everything that goes with it,” he told the Ealing (Road) Comedies podcast.

“It was under Steve Staunton and was terrific because my brother lives in the States and hasn’t seen me play much, so it was nice for him to get along there as well.

“It is something I want to get back in to. It probably means pushing Brentford up into the top end of League One or into the Championship to get back into those circles.

“That is achievable as well, so hopefully the two things will go hand in hand.”

Bennett’s contract negotiations to become a permanent part of boss Andy Scott’s plans seemed to take an age to be completed, but the centre-back insists once the manager flew to Ireland to sound him out, the deal was done.

“That showed to me how much I was wanted and I pretty much signed there and then. The delay was just admin stuff and we’d shaken hands on it a long time before that,” he added.

“The enthusiasm he and Bully (Terry Bullivant) show for it and the steps they have taken to make this a club that is moving forward in a professional manner. helped.”

Brentford have started the new campaign in positive fashion - picking up a 0-0 draw at Huddersfield Town on Satudrday after defeat to Charlton Athletic - and are currently within touch of the play-off places.

And Bennett, who returned to action from a groin injury at the weekend, believes they have a squad capable of maintaining that form throughout the campaign.

“From what I have seen so far we are more than capable of being up and around the play-offs,” he added.

“I think there will be a group of four or five teams pushing for the top and if we can be the best of the rest then we could be in with a shout.”