FORMER Southend United goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall will return to Roots Hall with Bristol Rovers this weekend.

But, if things had worked out differently, the 34-year-old shot-stopper could have been back between the sticks for the Shrimpers.

The experienced custodian came close to joining Blues on loan at the start of the season but they were unable to agree a deal with Millwall.

“I wanted to come back and I thought it was going to happen at one point too,” said Mildenhall.

“I spoke to Neil Harris, who I know well from Millwall, Paul Sturrock, Graham Coughlan and the goalkeeping coach as well just before the season was about to start.

“It all made sense to me because I knew the club, so there wouldn’t have been any settling in period and I was still living locally so it would’ve been ideal from that point of view as well.

“However, the clubs were unable to get a deal done and that meant I had to stay with Millwall which was a shame because I would’ve loved to have joined.”

Mildenhall eventually joined Scunthorpe on loan before teaming up with Bristol Rovers, who he has helped work their way in to the top half of the table.

They went bottom of the table after losing to Gillingham in Mildenhall’s second game for the club back in January.

But they now sit 11th, one place higher than the Shrimpers.

And the shot-stopper is therefore looking forward to tomorrow’s clash.

“I think the teams are closely matched and both do still have a very, very slight chance of making the play-offs,” said Mildenhall.

“Southend have a good squad and a new manager so I’m expecting it to be hard, but we don’t want our season to just peter out.

“We want to try to finish on a real high so we want to get the win, and from a personal point of view it’s a game I’m really looking forward to.”

Mildenhall made 89 appearances during his two seasons with Southend before leaving in June 2010.

But, despite it being a tough time for the club, the keeper thoroughly enjoyed his time in Essex.

“There was certainly a lot that went on but it’s a good club and I certainly liked being there and playing for Southend,” said Mildenhall.

“We got off to a slow start and I replaced a real fans’ favourite (Darryl Flahavan) in goal which I knew was always going to be difficult.

“I got a bit of criticism to begin with but in the end I would like to think the fans appreciated what I did for the team.”

However, after Blues just failed to make the League One play-offs in Mildenhall’s first season, they suffered relegation in his second due to the club’s fragile financial situation and failure to pay their players on time.

“Everyone knows what went on and it’s not for me to say what happened behind the scenes, but that year was the hardest I’ve ever had in football,” said Mildenhall.

“As footballers you have to be professional and remain focused but what was happening at the time would have made it tough for anyone in any walk of life to be able to do that.

“It was very tough indeed but that’s in the past now and I was delighted to see Blues get to Wembley in the JPT.

“The fans deserve it after what they’ve been through and I was just gutted the team couldn’t beat Crewe to give them something to cheer.”