The Swansea City youngster should take his place in the Swansea City midfield on Sunday and come face to face with Seyi Olofinjana who stands an impressive 10 inches taller than Allen.
“He’s probably twice the size of me,” Allen told the Western Mail.
“I watched Cardiff’s game against Leeds the other night and I was trying to picture myself going up against him and I’m sure others will be looking out for when we come up against each other.
“It will be interesting, but coping with that side of things is something I’ve had all the way through my career. I guess it’s obvious, but the biggest test I’ve had trying to make it professionally is the physical side of things and this is just another example of that.
“But I do feel like I’ve grown up a bit in all ways; I suppose this season I don’t feel like a kid anymore, especially during this last run of games.
“I’m still young, obviously, but I don’t feel like the youngster in the team. I feel part of things and as important as anyone else in the starting line-up. It’s that confidence that has helped me, to know that I’m offering something and I’m there on merit.
“I think I might have been guilty of trying too much,” he says of Rodgers’ words. “In a game where we were leading I should have been more responsible than trying to impress for myself a bit. He made the point to me about playing for the team and sometimes you need those dressing downs.
“He was right because it’s the success for this side comes from not having individuals, it’s from what we do as a team and that’s what we base everything around.
“There’s a bit of pressure and expectation on you, but I’m ready for it,” he said, Allen having scored against Palace last week – his first strike since a certain goal against Cardiff at Ninian Park 18 months ago. “It’s exciting to be part of it and it goes without saying how much we are all looking forward to it. It’s probably our toughest test of the season, not just because it’s against a good side at the top of the table but because of the environment.
“But that just makes it more exciting and none of us can wait.”
