TOM DALEY will make his competitive debut with new dive partner Max Brick in the third leg of this year's FINA World Series at Sheffield on April 18-19.

As revealed by Herald Sport last month, the 17-year-old Brick has been given the official nod to become the Plymouth wonderkid's new synchro buddy in place of Blake Aldridge in the 10-metre platform event.

Plymouth Diving Club's Daley, will travel up to Southampton tomorrow and train with his fellow teenager at the south coast city's diving academy.

Daley, 14, has known Brick for six years since they both took part in the World Class Start Programme, although the pair have only practised together seriously on a couple of occasions.

But Rob Daley believes that Brick's physique and age will make him be a better match for his son than Aldridge, who last dived with the city schoolboy at last year's Olympic Games in Beijing.

It was in Beijing that the awkward and uneasy relationship between the 26-year-old Aldridge and Daley first surfaced.

And with the London Olympics just over three years away, Daley Snr believes Great Britain's decision to pair his son with Brick can only be for the good.

He said: "Personally, I think it's a good move as Max is nearer Tom's age and the pair already get on well.

"Max is also a really good diver in his own right as well as matching up well with Tom, in terms of physique and stature.

"They've already had a couple of sessions training together which went well and don't forget Max won the British synchro title (with Jack Chewlow) at the national championships in February.

"I'm looking forward to watching them compete together in Sheffield."

British 10m platform champion Daley will compete both individually and together with Brick at Ponds Forge next weekend.

Daley gained the best result of his career in the previous World Series event in Changzhou, China, last month, winning a bronze medal in the 10m platform.

In so doing, Daley eliminated his hero and Olympic gold medallist Matthew Mitcham, of Australia, who failed to reach the final.