Antwan Russell is set for a run-out against a Chelsea XI when Ilkeston FC play the Premier League team in a pre-season friendly tomorrow.With the Blues first team on tour in the Far East and then the USA it will be a young side which travels to Derbyshire to face the Robins at the New Manor Ground.Although Chelsea will be missing their household names, Russell has been wearing a permanent smile since being told he will be involved in tonight’s game.“To be able to grace the same pitch as players from Chelsea is kind of unbelievable and something I’ve dreamed about since I was a kid,” said the 26-year-old.“I actually thought I was going to miss the Chelsea game but I’ve been told the gaffer wants me involved and that’s put a smile on my face.”Last week Russell met with Ilkeston chairman Dave Mantle who was visiting the Island to meet with prospective players to finalise a permanent move to the English non-league side.The striker scored three goals in just a handful of appearances for the club towards the end of last season and hopes to build on that successful short spell by helping fire them to promotion.“I think I did well enough at the end of last season to earn an opportunity at Ilkeston and I’m looking to make the best of it,” said the former Robin Hood man.“Last season was a little tough because everybody was match-fit and I had to get up to scratch with the English game.“It was a struggle at first, especially the weather, but once I got used to that it was business as usual for me.“I’ve agreed terms with the club and now the contract is solid I can just focus on the football side of things.“I don’t see any reason why we can’t push for promotion because we did well against the top teams last season.”Russell believes he has matured both on and off the pitch since being recommended to Ilkeston by Bermuda Hogges owner Paul Scope as part of a link-up between the two clubs.And with Lejuan Simmons and Dante Leverock also set to return to Ilkeston, who play in the seventh tier of English football, Russell expects more Bermudians to sign for them in the future.“The club have treated me very well and I have nothing but good things to say about them,” said the Toronto FC trialist.“When I came home a few people asked me about them and I’ve just been saying what a good opportunity it is for other young lads in Bermuda who want to play overseas.“It’s not what people might think, though. People see the division we’re in and think it’s a walk in the park but it’s actually a hard league.“I think I have grown and matured a bit since I have been there although I still have some bad habits like keeping my focus that I need to improve on.Chelsea are a former club of Ilkeston boss Kevin Wilson, an ex-Walsall team-mate of Bermuda’s Kyle Lightbourne.