LEE Barnard insists he has nothing to prove when he takes on Southend United tonight.

The 31-year-old striker could feature for Crawley Town against the Shrimpers this evening just four months after being released by Blues boss Phil Brown.

But Barnard is not interested in exacting revenge.

“These things happen in football and it’s a game of opinions so I’m not really looking to prove a point to anyone or trying to get revenge,” said Barnard.

“Of course I wish things had worked out differently at Southend when I went back but the only person I ever really want to prove anything to is myself.

“Hopefully I’ll get the chance to play tonight but I’m still close to all the boys at Southend and met up with a few of them just the other day so it is going to be weird playing against them.”

Barnard, who grew up in Billericay, was incredibly successful in his first spell with the Shrimpers, scoring 37 goals in 85 games before joining Southampton in January 2010.

Barnard returned to Roots Hall in January 2014 but netted just twice in 25 appearances before being released by Brown in June.

But the striker is now enjoying a new challenge with Crawley.

“It’s been going OK here and it’s a good club to be at,” said Barnard.

“I’ve been in and out of the team a little bit but hopefully I’ll get a chance tonight.

“It would certainly be a good game to get my first goal in.”