SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown is plotting a successful reunion with Jussi Jaaskelainen at Roots Hall tomorrow.

The veteran goalkeeper, who spent several seasons with Brown at Bolton Wanderers, will be lining up between the sticks for Wigan Athletic this weekend.

And Brown is hoping to be the happier of the two at the final whistle.

“Jussi is a good friend of mine so I’m looking forward to seeing him again but hopefully I’ll be happier than him when we have a drink at the end of the game,” said the Blues boss.

“It’s probably 16 or 17 years since I first met Jussi and we actually ended up sharing a horse together “We had a lot of success when we were at Bolton and it’s fantastic what he’s achieved in the game.

“Dan Bentley is at the opposite end of his career and I’ll be telling him to watch Jussi and analyse how he conducts himself because his composure spreads to those around him.

“I’m hoping Jussi is an old man now and isn’t as good as he used to be but I’m sure that isn’t the case judging by the record he’s got since going there.”

Jaaskelainen has helped Wigan work their way up to fifth in the League One table, three places higher than the Shrimpers.

But Brown’s side have triumphed in their last two outings and the Blues boss is keen to keep the good run going.

“We won’t be resting on our laurels,” said the 56-year-old.

“At the start of the week I would probably have taken seven points out of nine from the three games but I won’t now.

“The Wigan game is a good test for us. They’ve got a good head of steam going and they’re a big club.

“It wasn’t too long ago they were in the Premier League and won the FA Cup but they’ve been in decline and we want to show how far we’ve come by beating them.

“The boys are bouncing at the moment.

“They’re flying after the week we’ve had and we’re all looking forward to this game.”