ELLIS Wilmot has hailed Team Bath's meteoric rise over the last few years but ahead of Monday's local derby the Bluebirds midfielder believes his former team-mates could struggle this season.

Wilmot, 24, enjoyed a spell with the students a couple of seasons ago after being released by Bristol City and he is now relishing the chance to return to his old stomping ground.

He said: "I am really looking forward to it as I haven't been back there since I left two seasons ago.

"Their rise from the Somerset League has been absolutely fantastic and to progress to where they are now deserves a lot of credit.

"This is a big season for them

though and will be their most difficult so far as they have lost a lot of their best players.

"I think they will find it tough but I don't want to take anything away from their achievements so far.

"I know a few faces from their side but there isn't anyone left that I used to play alongside. Anything I do know I will be telling Steve."

After a summer of uncertainty, Wilmot has finally committed to Chippenham and slotted in well on the right of midfield for Town's winning start to the season.

He said: "We have had a great start and nobody could have asked for more. We put in a lot of hard work pre-season and long may it continue.

"After a very easy match against Dunstable we had a much tougher test against Solihull and to be honest we were expecting it because we do know a lot more about the Western sides.

"We played much better in the first half on Tuesday as we didn't control the second 45 minutes like we know we can.

"The team spirit is great at the moment, which is something Steve White has worked really hard on, and I think he has managed to bring the characters to the club.

"I don't know a lot about Rugby but if we can win that we should go into Monday's derby with a lot of confidence."