MARLON Pack says he has no intention of sitting on the bench at Cheltenham Town during his long-term loan spell from Portsmouth.

The 19-year-old midfielder left Steve Cotterill's Championship side to gain further first-team experience after time at Wycombe Wanderers and Dagenham and Redbridge last season.

Pack made 17 appearances for Dagenham, scoring a goal in his final appearance against Port Vale.

He has been given a brief taste of Championship football this season, going on as a substitute in Pompey's home defeat by Cardiff City last Saturday and also turning out in the Carling Cup, but he craves regular football and says he will fight to earn that with the Robins.

He will go straight into boss Mark Yates' squad to face Barnet at Underhill tomorrow.

"I have come here to play, so I want to be involved on Saturday and start with a win," he said.

"The draw of playing first-team football is why I came here.

"I have experienced it at Wycombe and Dagenham and now hopefully I can have a full season behind me here because I need it at my age."

Former Cheltenham boss Cotterill, who led the club from the Southern League to what is now League One between 1997 and 2002, has assured Pack he will be well looked after during his time at the Abbey Business Stadium.

"The gaffer had massive praise for the club here," Pack said. "He said it was a good set-up, a young side who like to pass it, so that was a draw too.

"I knew I wouldn't be playing a major part at Portsmouth and starts were unlikely.

"I could have been on the bench now and then, but I need football."

Pack stands 6ft 2in tall and is regarded as an all-rounder in the centre of midfield, where he faces fierce competition for a starting berth.

Yates has the likes of Michael Pook, Frankie Artus, David Bird, Andy Gallinagh and Brian Smikle at his disposal, but Pack is confident he can bring something different.

He said: "My main strength is passing. I am good in the air and strong, but it's mainly about getting the ball down and playing.

"I have played around 30 Football League games overall and I want to keep building that total.

"If I can add at least 20 more this season I will have quite a lot under my belt."

Pack played alongside Wesley Thomas at Dagenham, although the striker's opportunities were limited due to the form of Paul Benson and Josh Scott.

"I know Wes and hopefully I can come here and we can link up," he said.

"He only started two games when I was at Dagenham, but he has started this season on fire and shown what he can do when he is playing regularly."