Sidwell promised key role

Steve Sidwell has been assured he is not at Chelsea to 'make up the numbers'.

The midfielder moved to Stamford Bridge from Reading earlier this summer to aid Chelsea in their pursuit of Premier League glory.

Sidwell accepts that it will be a huge challenge just to get in the side, as Jose Mourinho already has a huge array of talent at his disposal and is set to bolster his midfield further with the acquisition of Florent Malouda.

However, Sidwell insists he has been told by Mourinho that he will get a fair number of opportunities.

"After speaking to the manager, he did say I was going to get a chance and I wasn't here simply to make up the numbers," Sidwell explained.

"All I want is an opportunity to play at the highest level that I can. He said I'll get that here and hopefully I'll take that with both hands."

Sidwell and his Chelsea team-mates have been joined by new director of football Avram Grant on their pre-season tour of America.

And the former Israel manager is relishing the prospect of getting down to work.

"I am looking forward to the trip to America where I hope to get to know everybody a lot better," Grant told the club's official website.