FORMER O's boss Paul Brush says that he is far from surprised that his old assistant Martin Ling has made a good job of things since taking over from him in the Brisbane Road hotseat, although he still wants to get one over his old colleague when he arrives in E10 with Southend on Saturday.

Brush, who spent more than eight years with the O's, had a quick return to football with the Shrimpers after taking on a caretaker coaching role at Roots Hall following his sacking by Barry Hearn in September.

Talking ahead of what is set to be a more explosive derby game than normal, given his links with Orient and Ling's connections with Southend as a player, Brush said: "I am really looking forward to the match.

"I haven't got a problem with coming back and I have known for a long time that the fixture has been coming up. It will be nice to return and see some familiar faces and perhaps I can walk into the ground smiling after having left it in a very sad fashion following over eight years with the club.

"These derby games are always fiercely competitive, but once it has started it is about the players on the pitch not my and Martin's connections with each club.

"I certainly won't have a problem with Martin, because we remain friends. We are on the phone at least once a week and still go to games together.

"I am really pleased for him that things have worked out well. I am not surprised though, because there are some very good players at Orient and it was just a case of them getting some confidence about themselves something which comes through winning games.

"They have got some outstanding results over the last four months and they are one of the best sides in the Division at the moment. But I hope that brings out the best in us and obviously it is a game I want to win."

As obviously does Ling, who will be putting his friendship with Brush on the back burner as he looks to secure three more valuable points.

He said: "With me having played at Southend for five seasons and Paul coming back as their assistant manager, I am sure there are plenty of ingredients for a rip-roaring derby.

"I have made it clear in the past that my friendship with Paul is still intact, but that certainly won't be the case for 90 minutes on Saturday. There will be plenty of banter going on between Paul and our fans, because they will probably see it as the ex-manager now working for the enemy.

"But having spoken to him he is certainly expecting that to happen. While there will be that rivalry between us, I'm sure there will be a handshake between us afterwards and there will certainly be a drink waiting for him in the bar."

And while Brush is enjoying life with the seasiders working under caretaker boss Steve Tilson at Roots Hall, he still has fond memories of his time at Brisbane Road.

He continued: "Apart from speaking to Martin on a regular basis, a lot of the players at Orient grew up with me.

"I am moving house at the moment and I've been going through a lot of things and there are programmes that bring back a lot of memories. But it was really nice and made me feel proud when I found a picture of the youth team from a few years ago, and of the 18 players in it 11 went on to play in the first team which is a real achievement.

"So there are plenty of memories and the fact my father-in-law is an Orient fan means the club is never far away from my thoughts."