Millwall defender Andy Frampton reckons he can’t wait to return to his former club, but faces a race against time to be fit for Saturday’s clash with Brentford.

The 30-year-old spent five seasons at Griffin Park - making more than 150 appearances - that also featured two thrilling FA Cup runs as well as League One play-off heartache under eccentric boss Martin Allen.

Frampton has served a three-match suspension for picking up a red card against Swindon Town, but is struggling to get over ankle ligament damage that could rule him out off the weekend’s showdown.

And he admits it would be a major disappointment if he could not play a part in a potential first competitive visit to the Bees since leaving the club.

“Since Brentford came back up it is a game I’ve been looking forward to, to say the least,” he said.

“It was fantastic to be part of a very successful team and it proved to be a very successful spell in my own career. I’m still in touch with Kevin O’Connor and have fond memories, so it will be nice to catch up with a few familiar faces.

“The two cup runs were amazing. For a club like Brentford to do that and get to the play-offs on their resources was an achievement in itself. They are very high points in the history of the club and obviously in my own career.

“Ruptured ankle ligaments usually have a six week recovery period. I’ve done four weeks and I’m going to do everything to try and be involved at the weekend.

“It is the manager’s decision at the end of the day, but I’d be happy if I was able to get on the bench at the moment.”

Former Crystal Palace trainee Frampton, who used to live in Teddington, left Brentford in 2007 following relegation and switched to the Lions - where he picked up the player of the year award last season.

But he admits he could have still been a Bees player had it not been for the appointment of former England captain Terry Butcher as manager.

“I picked up an injury before the end of that season and when the new manager came in he wasn’t as keen on me as I would have liked,” he added.

“The fact Brentford were relegated was not a massive issue for me. Every player wants to feel wanted and the manager made it clear he wasn’t over keen on keeping me.

“I expected to start the new season as a Brentford player, but by the time the summer had finished I had moved to Millwall. That is football and that is how it goes sometimes.”