JAMES Collins knows that his bid to give the Swindon Town defence the run around today will be a lot easier without Nathan Thompson to contend with.

Collins joined Town from Shrewsbury for the 2012-13 season but spent just one year at the County Ground before signing for Hibernian.

Another season later and he was back at the Shrews and was a pivotal figure as they secured promotion to League One for the current campaign.

Collins will come up against Town for the first time since his departure this afternoon, although only one face in the opposition line-up will be familiar.

The Thompson brothers are the only players from Paolo Di Canio’s Class of 2012-13 that remain - and only Louis is fit to play today.

Club captain Nathan will again miss out with a hamstring injury, and Collins admits he would rather face a Town back-line without his former colleague.

“I really enjoyed my time down at Swindon,” said Collins, who finished as top scorer as Town reached the play-offs in his only season in Wiltshire.

“I think it was the best football I have played and probably the best team I have been a part of too.

“I made some good friends there and I look back on it with fond memories.

“It’s only the Thompson brothers left from when I was there. I know Nathan is injured but Louis has been doing really well in the last few weeks.

“The season I was there Nathan was superb and really made a name for himself. Now he’s gone on to become club captain and I’m really pleased for him because he’s a good guy.

“He’s a really good player and hopefully he’s back playing again soon.

“It certainly might be a bit easier without him to play against but I’ve played against a few guys in their team before so I know it’s going to be a tough game.”

The teams are separated by just two places and three points in the table and both will be after a win at Greenhous Meadow in order to pull away from the relegation zone.

However, Collins is not predicting the usual scrappiness that would usually be associated with such an encounter.

“It’s one both teams will be desperate to win because we both want to try and get ourselves clear of that drop zone,” said Collins.

“It’s also two attacking sides that look to play good football so it’s one that should be fun to be a part of. I am looking forward to it.”