JOHN White will have a foot in both camps when Southend United face Colchester in the Sid Broomfield Trophy tonight.

The current Shrimpers defender was part of the 2006 promotion winning U’s side who are re-uniting for this evening’s encounter at Roots Hall.

And White cannot wait to be back among a whole host of familiar faces for the clash which is raising funds for Havens Hospices.

“It will be an interesting one for me and I think a few people are a bit shocked that I’ll be at Roots Hall wearing a Colchester shirt on the night,” said White.

“Going back into that away dressing room will be different and being in a Colchester shirt again will be strange after all these years!

“But the game is about the two promotion sides from 2006 and that’s what it’s about.

“I’ve been at Southend for six years now but both clubs are extremely close to my heart.

“The bottom line is the charity - that’s the main reason that everyone is giving up their time and some are travelling a long way to get there.”

Colchester finished second behind the Shrimpers during the memorable 2005/06 season.

But White will only be able to play a limited part in tonight’s clash after breaking his arm in the final game of the season which saw him score in the Shrimpers’ crucial 2-1 win against Sunderland as Kevin Bond’s side triumphed to avoid relegation.

“I’m gutted I can’t play more of a part in the game but I’ll be taking kick off and will then have to come off,” said White, who will soon be undergoing surgery to have a metal plate in his arm.

“There’s never a good time to be injured.

“But if there ever is a time to be out, the close season would probably be it because the time of year means you’re not missing games.

“It’s not ideal to have to have the surgery but now is the best time to do it.”

And White is still thrilled to have helped keep Blues up.

“It was huge for us to stay up,” said the defender.

“It was the most pressure I’ve ever played under in such a long time.

“I was stressing all day and we knew it would be a difficult task but it was an incredible feeling when the final whistle blew.

“It’s obviously different circumstances but it’s up there with the feeling of winning promotion for both Colchester and Southend.”