THEO Robinson will start next season back at Roots Hall, but not in the shirt he was expecting to wear.

The speedy striker impressed while on loan at Southend United during the second half of last season but the Shrimpers could not afford to make the move permanent.

And he has now joined Huddersfield Town who visit Blues on the opening day of next season.

“When my loan spell ended I really did think that I was going to be coming back to Southend,” Robinson told the Echo.

“I had enjoyed my time there on loan and had got on well with the lads and management there but Watford put quite a big price tag on my head and Southend didn’t have enough funds to sign me.”

Swindon Town were favourites to snap up the 20-year-old in a move believed to be worth around £275.000.

But Huddersfield won the race for the striker at the very last minute and that means Robinson will now be teaming up with his former Southend team-mate Peter Clarke who also opted to join the Terriers this summer.

“I’ve already spoken to him it and it’s quite funny how things have worked out,” said Robinson.

“We will both be going back to Southend for our first games too which will also be a bit strange but I’m excited about joining Huddersfield.

“This is a club which should be in the Championship and that’s where I want to be too. Their ambitions match mine and they’ve made some good signings so I’m certainly looking forward to the new season starting.”

Blues boss Steve Tilson had been keen to bring Robinson back to Roots Hall and he remains frustrated to have missed out.

But Robinson’s departure will give players already at the club more opportunities to impress and that includes the fit-again James Walker.

The former Charlton Athletic trainee, who joined the Shrimpers in February 2008, missed the final four months of last season with a hamstring injury.

However, he is now back to full fitness and Tilson is hoping the 21-year-old can start to impress on a more consistent basis.

“We’ve seen glimpses of what James can do and he certainly does have fantastic ability,” said Tilson.

“He has a lot of pace and hopefully he can have a good season for us.”

Walker will return for the Shrimpers at either Great Wakering Rovers on Friday night or Witham Town on Saturday.

But winger Damian Scannell is struggling to be fit after picking up a slight knee injury during training.