Albion's new signing, Therry Racon, will be unfamiliar to Steve Thomson when they join forces in midfield for Albion against Swindow tomorrow.

There will, however, be a very familiar face opposing Thomson in the centre of the park for the visitors - his future brother-in-law, Michael Timlin.

Swindon only re-signed Timlin on loan from Fulham a week ago, sparking a strange twist of family fate.

Thomson explained: "He is actually engaged to my wife's sister. They have been together for a long time and I've known him for about eight years but I've never actually seen him play.

"I was at Palace when he first started and then I moved away to Peterborough and up to Scotland."

Londoner Timlin, who was 25 on Wednesday, coincidentally almost ended up on loan at one stage at Falkirk, where Thomson was captain.

He had an eventful five months at Swindon last season, picking up six bookings plus a red card in 25 appearances, so it could be a lively tussle with Albion's slightly-built Glaswegian.

Thomson said: "It will be good to close him down! He was down here on Wednesday and we were giving each other a bit of banter.

"He was not giving much away but, from speaking to him, Swindon are still thinking they have got a chance of the play-offs after a good result against Carlisle last Saturday (2-2)."

Thomson will not allow the presence of his future brother-in-law to distract him from his main goal of helping Albion to a fifth Withdean win out of six in the quest for a play-off spot.

The need for victory is heightened by Tuesday's 2-1 setback at Huddersfield and the daunting double test which follows Swindon's visit, a trip to Nottingham Forest on Monday and then Leeds at Elland Road five days later.

"We've got three tough games coming up and we'll find out at the end of them whether we are serious contenders for the play-offs," Thomson said.

"The signs are good. We have been on a good run. Tuesday night was a wee bit disappointing for the boys but our situation isn't any worse than it was before that, so we are looking forward to tomorrow's game and hopefully we can pick up three points."

It has not been easy for Thomson since his January move back to England from Falkirk.

He has had to adjust to playing with a number of different partners and now Adam El-Abd is a long-term casualty with the medial knee ligament injury he suffered at Huddersfield.

"That is a big blow to the team," Thomson admitted. "Adam has been playing well in midfield and at centre back. He might even have filled in at right-back (with Andrew Whing banned).

"I know I can perform better. There is more to come. I am adjusting to playing so many games. In Scotland you just play Saturday to Saturday.

"It has been a big move for my family as well. My wife is a lot closer to her parents now and she has got a lot of family around, which helps with our young son."

Another member of the clan will be even closer tomorrow than Thomson could ever have imagined.