ALTHOUGH it may not rival the entertainment capital of the world, Charlie Daniels is hoping to hit the jackpot following his big Bournemouth gamble.

Daniels’s reward for playing his part in Leyton Orient’s memorable FA Cup run last season was an all-expenses-paid trip to Las Vegas.

Having seen off Championship high-fliers Norwich and Swansea, chairman Barry Hearn dangled the carrot after the O’s had been paired with Arsenal in the fifth round.

“He said he would take us to Vegas if we beat Arsenal,” said Daniels. “We thought that was a bit unrealistic so asked if we could go if we drew. He had a think about it and said ‘you’re on’!

“Jonathan Tehoue popped up with an 89th-minute equaliser in the first game and we were on our way to the Emirates – and Vegas. It was a brilliant trip.

“I had never been before and it was an eye-opener. The chairman laid on everything.”

Daniels joined Orient from Spurs on a permanent basis in January 2009 after spending the 2007-08 season on loan at Brisbane Road. During his six years at White Hart Lane, he also served Gillingham and Chesterfield on loan.

With his contract due to expire in the summer, Daniels could have exercised his right to a Bosman free transfer and a number of Championship clubs would have readily snapped him up.

But the 25-year-old, one of the most sought-after left-backs in the lower leagues, opted instead to join Cherries, his £175,000 move at the end of November made permanent earlier this month.

Since arriving, Daniels has helped Cherries maintain their push for promotion, his eight appearances yielding five wins and two draws. Lee Bradbury’s men are currently unbeaten in six league games and have lost just once in their past 13.

Tonight, Daniels will be hoping to help Cherries take another step towards matching a long-standing club-best sequence of 13 away games without defeat when he returns to Chesterfield, the scene of his debut in March 2007.

Daniels, who took his bow for the Spireites against Orient at their previous ground on Saltergate, is no stranger to club record runs having been ever-present as the O’s last season wrote a new chapter in their history thanks to 14 matches unbeaten.

“If you get a winning mentality then it becomes natural,” said Daniels. “It happened with Orient last season and is happening here now. If we can maintain our current form, there is no reason why we can’t make the play-offs.

“We have got the momentum. We won ugly against Tranmere and top six teams win those type of games.

“It is not going to be pretty all the time but the main thing is to keep winning.

“We have won three home games on the bounce which is pleasing. That should get the monkey off our backs and get rid of the negativity surrounding our home form. There is nothing better than having your home fans behind you.”

Daniels, who opened his Cherries goal account with a cracker against Yeovil on New Year’s Eve, added: “I knew this club was going places. The manager has brought in some excellent players to complement the ones that were here already.

“I have settled in quickly and have been fairly pleased with my form. I am my biggest critic so wouldn’t say I have been brilliant. I know there are things I could do better.”

Daniels also knows the ideal location to celebrate should Cherries achieve their aim: “I would have to have a chat with the gaffer to see if we could go to Vegas. Hopefully, the Russian owner would like it there!”