ADAM Vyse is eager to prove Mark Bentley was wrong to release him at the end of last season by guiding Basildon United to victory at Canvey Island.

Vyse will return to Park Lane for the first time since his summer departure tomorrow.

And the striker is keen to guide new club Basildon away from the Isthmian North drop zone by sealing all three points against his former club.

“This was the first fixture I looked for when the fixtures were released in the summer,” said Vyse.

“I will treat it as any other game because I want to win and score whenever I play.

“When Mark and I parted ways, I wanted to get myself fit because I want to prove him wrong.

“For me, there is definitely an added incentive this weekend.”

Bentley took charge of Canvey 12 months ago and Vyse was among his first signings after joining from Great Wakering Rovers.

Vyse went onto score six goals in 24 appearances and the frontman, who also counts Bowers & Pitsea among his former clubs, admits he was not at his best during his time with the Gulls.

“I had quite a rough time off the pitch last year and that could be seen on the pitch,” added Vyse.

“It didn’t click for me and I regret that because it is a great club with fantastic facilities and the training was top notch.

“At the turn of the year, I thought we were going to kick-on because we went undefeated in January, winning four games.

“But then we could only win two games throughout February and March and that was disappointing.

“But I still enjoyed my time there and it’s a great club.”

Just four points separate the two sides heading into this weekend’s local derby, with Canvey currently 15th and Basildon 18th in the standings.

But Vyse is certain that John Sussex’s Bees will start to climb the Isthmian North league table thanks to players returning from injuries and suspensions.

“We have been very unlucky so far,” insisted 27-year-old striker Vyse, who also worked with Basildon chief Sussex at Tilbury.

“I think we are a very good team and we will shock a lot of people this season.

“We have had cup runs and also played most of the current top six away from home.

“There has been a build-up of games and suspensions and injuries haven’t helped.

“But we have now won the last three games and, moving forward, we are a really strong outfit.

“We will take each game as it comes and we don’t want to be in a relegation battle.

“There is too much quality in the squad for that to happen.”