Mariners midfielder Nick Montgomery and Newcastle's marquee man Emile Heskey have shared quite a history throughout their years of playing against one another, and they will meet for the first time in an F3 derby at Hunter Stadium.

No matter the team, a sense of occasion has always followed the pair's confrontations including clutch Premier League fixtures and Carling Cup playoffs.

Despite their history, Montgomery insists the club rivalry itself is enough to ensure a nail-biting affair when he and Heskey face off this weekend.

And the 30-year-old from Leeds has plenty of experience playing in hotly contested derbies - having been on the pitch for several Steel City derbies, when his Sheffield United went up against Sheffield Wednesday.

"There's always just a massive buzz," Montgomery said."Derby games are fast and ferocious and obviously it's a high pressure game and probably a hundred mile an hour."

Montgomery said Heskey had added attacking presence to any team the striker plays for.

"He's had a fantastic career," Montgomery said. "I've been fortunate to play against him a couple of times.

"He's a big, strong, powerful striker. He brings other players into play and obviously gets his fair share of goals as well."

Montgomery's Sheffield United met Heskey's Wigan Athletic on the final day of the Premier League season five years ago.

Montgomery fought through the pain barrier to play in the match after dislocating his shoulder the week before against Aston Villa, but there was worse agony as Sheffield slumped to relegation that day.

"I remember the day and we just needed Manchester United to win at home to West Ham and it wouldn't have mattered what result we had," Montgomery said.

"Unfortunately United lost to West Ham and we conceded a penalty to Wigan that day which got us relegated from the Premier League."

But Montgomery said there is no motivation of gaining retribution against Heskey, and his own side's strong form will hold them in strong position for their derby match-up.

"I think we've shown against Perth that we've got the qualities in the team to battle against strong physical teams, and when we get the ball we've passed it well," Montgomery said.

"We can pass it a lot better and there's a lot more to come, but it’s early in the season and we'll go there full of confidence."