FORMER Town midfielder Michael Timlin is chomping at the bit to go toe-to-toe with his old employers as he looks to establish Southend as a force in League One.

Timlin was on Town’s books from 2008 to 2012, although that was punctuated by two loan stints at Roots Hall.

The Shrimpers signed the now 30-year-old at the conclusion of that second loan spell and he has since gone on to become a pivotal cog in the Southend engine room.

He put his body on the line for Phil Brown’s side last term as they battled their way to promotion from League Two via the play-offs, including needing stitches after a clash of heads in the first leg of their semi-final match up against Stevenage.

Former Republic of Ireland Under 21 international Timlin was in the United team the last time the two sides met back in early 2012, having only just completed his permanent switch.

He was unable to prevent Town romping to a 4-1 success in Essex that day as they continued their march to the League Two title under Paolo Di Canio, but Timlin is hoping for better fortunes this time around.

“It’s something that I’m looking forward to,” said Timlin, who initially joined Town on loan before making a full-time switch from then Premier League side Fulham.

“The last time I played against Swindon we had a heavy defeat against them. They went on to win League Two that season but we produced a very uncharacteristic performance that night.

“I wasn’t allowed to play at the County Ground (earlier in the season) because I was still on loan at that stage.

“Players move clubs all the time, I just hope I get a good reception from their fans but I’ll be working as hard as I can to try and get the win because we need to put on a good performance at home to get the three points we need.”