Steve Sidwell is set to start against Valencia but despite the opportunity he knows he still has a lot to do to secure a regular place.The former Arsenal player would love to hold on to his spot to face the Gunners on Sunday but he knows there is plenty of competition and he will more than likely be back on the bench.

Sidwell, 24, spent five seasons rebuilding his reputation after being offloaded by Arsenal, but having turned down the biggest contract offered by the Royals to join Jose Mourinho at Chelsea in the summer he has struggled to make an impact.

He gets a chance against Valencia as Chelsea have already qualified as Group B winners, meaning manager Avram Grant can rest some players ahead of the weekend trip to the Emirates.

"This is a big opportunity for me - as big as the decision I made to join Chelsea," he said. "I knew it would be difficult to earn a regular place but I also knew it would be down to me to show, when I was given a chance, what I can do.

"That is exactly what the previous manager (Mourinho) told me and it is the same situation with the present one. I'm loving every minute of it."

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