SOUTHEND Saxons’ Kris Chesney cannot wait to start his season against Old Albanians in National Two South tomorrow.

The 41-year-old former Saracens star missed Saxons’ first two games of the new campaign with calf and Achilles problems.

And Chesney is therefore desperate to be involved again this weekend.

“It will be my first game of the season and I can’t wait,” said Chesney.

“I’ve been like a bear with a sore head not being able to train and play and I’m sure my wife will testify for that because I probably haven’t been much fun to live with lately.

“But being like that shows I still want to play on because the moment I still having that feeling will be the moment I hang my boots up.

“That’s certainly not happening now though and I’m really looking forward to getting out there again.”

Southend started the season with an entertaining 40-24 win against Chinnor before being seen off 30-17 at Redruth last weekend.

And Chesney has been encouraged by the opening two games of the new campaign.

“Redruth admitted after last weekend’s game that we should’ve won and I think it’s been a good start for us,” said Chesney.

“The backs are looking really lively and exciting and it was fantastic to start the season by putting 40 points on Chinnor.

“They had been shouting their mouths off about winning promotion so beating them like that was nice, especially as we didn’t get 40 points against many teams last season.”

But Southend face another stern test tomorrow as Old Albanians, who were relegated from National One last term, currently top the table having triumphed in both of their matches so far.

Last time out, they saw off Redingsensians 29-19 but Saxons’ director of rugby Chris Green insists his side have nothing to fear.

“We’re playing well and we’re looking forward to the test,” said Green.

“We started positively in pre-season and we’ve carried on from there so we certainly don’t have anything to be frightened of.”

Southend should also welcome back captain Mark Billings this weekend but back row James Needham is a doubt with a knee problem.