SOUTHEND United midfielder Timothee Dieng is relishing his first Bradford City reunion - even though he may not know many of the players he is facing.

Dieng turned down the offer of a new contract from the Bantams to join Blues in the summer.

But the Frenchman is looking forward to facing his former team tomorrow in what will be his 100th League start in English football.

“I am really excited for this game against my former team, even though I don’t know too many of the players there now,” said Dieng.

“Most of the players from last season have left, I think it was about 15 who went in the end and I think 15 or 16 new players have come in so there has been a big change.

“There’s a different manager too but I do still know a few people there so it will be good to see them.”

Dieng spent two seasons with Bradford, making 78 appearances.

But he felt the time was right for a change at the end of last season.

“I felt Southend was the right move for the future of my career,” said Dieng.

“It was a tough decision to leave Bradford because the people were nice there and so were the fans but I knew it was the right thing to do.

“Everyone has made it really easy for me to settle in Southend and I’m happy here.

“We just need to get that first win.”

Blues were beaten 3-2 by Doncaster Rovers on the opening day of the season before drawing 1-1 at Plymouth Argyle last weekend.

But Dieng has still been encouraged by the opening two League games.

“I think we have played well in both the games so far,” said the 26-year-old.

“The performances have been good but we just haven’t taken enough of the chances coming our way.

“Hopefully we can do that tomorrow and get the three points because I think getting that first win would get the momentum going.

“It would also mean the mood in the squad would be even higher.”

But Dieng knows Bradford will be tough to beat.

“Bradford will be difficult to play against because they’ve signed some good players,” said the midfielder.

“If we play our game and take our chances then I think we’ll do well.

“It’s a game I’ve been looking forward to but once it starts it will be exactly the same as any other game we have this season.

“I’ll be doing what I do every week and hopefully we’ll get the win.”