MICHAEL Timlin credits Paul Trollope with teaching him the art of the holding midfielder but the Town man is not about to say thanks' in the way his old pal would like.

Saturday's big clash will be the loanee's second trip of the week to the Memorial Stadium and he has already caught up with the Bristol Rovers boss following Monday's reserve clash.

It looks as though Timlin will be restricted to a role on the bench and while frustrated at his lack of opportunities, acknowledges that promotion' will still be stamped on his CV.

Timlin said: "I know Paul Trollope from his time at Fulham, probably from when I was about 15.

"I didn't have to clean his boots at Fulham, thankfully the young lads at the time didn't have to do that, but I did have the pleasure of playing with him in the reserves.

"I learned a great deal from him because he played in the same holding midfield role so he could show me the position.

"I got to speak to Paul after the reserve game and he thinks Saturday is going to be a massive occasion as well, for ourselves and Rovers.

"We have to be looking to win the game not just looking for the draw.

"I'm more than certain that if we play to our best we'll definitely get a result."

Timlin has played his part in Town's push to this point but he has struggled to find a way back in since suspension in mid March.

The emergence of Lee Peacock as a midfielder hasn't helped his cause either.

Timlin said: "I've spoken to the gaffer and obviously it's disappointing because I felt like I was doing really well but I'm not going to kick and moan and start causing problems in the squad.

"The main aim is promotion and that will go down on my CV, whether I've played the last few games or not."

Timlin will stay around long enough to hopefully gulp the promotion champagne before heading back to a new set-up at Craven Cottage.

He said: "I popped back there last Monday just to see everyone and I had the opportunity for a chat with Lawrie Sanchez.

"He told me he'd heard it was going really well for me down here and he told me to keep pushing away and that if he does get the job there he'll look forward to seeing me next season."