SOUTHEND United midfielder Michael Timlin has revealed how a talk with manager Phil Brown helped him to rediscover his best form.

The 28-year-old made a slow start to the season as he fought his way back from a broken leg and a six week spell in prison.

But Timlin is now impressing on a more consistent basis, starting the Shrimpers’ last six matches.

And he has put his resurgence down to Brown’s reassuring words.

“I think it all stems back to a chat I had with the manager around October time,” said Timlin.

“I think I was maybe trying too hard to impress and pushing myself too hard because I wanted to be back in the side playing games again.

“The gaffer just said to be to relax and start enjoying my football again and after that I seemed to get back to how I was before the injury.

“It’s the first time I’ve suffered an injury like I did and I was getting frustrated at not feeling 100 percent.”

Timlin broke his leg during Blues’ 1-0 win at Leyton Orient in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy last February and was originally expected to be out of action for up to nine months.

However, while the midfielder was able to return in time for pre-season training it took him far longer to mentally get over the injury.

“I’d recovered physically in really good time and was well ahead of schedule, as I usually am when I’m out injured but this time it was different,” said Timlin.

“I don’t think I was prepared mentally and it was still playing on my mind.

“Sometimes it takes one big tackle or scoring a goal, but for me, I have to go back to the talk I had with the manager.

“The belief he has shown in me since day one has been brilliant and it’s played a big role in getting me back out there on a regular basis now.

“I think I was putting too much pressure on myself but that talk helped me relax and I’m now really enjoying my football again.”

Timlin is now aiming to maintain his good form and keep his place in the centre park.

But securing promotion for the Shrimpers remains his number one priority.

“It’s my third full season at the club and it would be great to finally win promotion and make it third time lucky,” said Timlin.

“Obviously we went close in the play-offs during my first full season here.

“We were in the top three for most of the season and I think falling away really knocked our confidence as a squad.

“There’s a few of us still here from then and I think we’ll all use the experience we gained that season this time around.

“We will just be focusing on each game and not looking at the league table but I’m confident this squad is good enough to win promotion this time around.”