In a communication receiver, timing recovery circuitry includes a loop filter associated with a timing recovery loop of a first communication device. The first communication device is in communication with a second communication device prior to a temporary power down/power up sequence in the first communication device. The loop filter is configured to: (i) temporarily disable at least a portion of the timing recovery loop after the temporary power down/power up sequence in the first communication device; and (ii) initiate a progression through a set of potential sampling phases to determine a given sampling phase at which the first communication device can recommence communication with the second communication device.