Penn: I could not be more motivated for return trip

CHELTENHAM Town captain Russ Penn is using the time he spent at Burton Albion as motivation ahead of today's trip to the Pirelli Stadium.

The midfielder spent two years with the Brewers and is looking forward to heading back to take on a side also chasing League Two promotion.

Cheltenham are currently lying third in the table, and getting another three points to consolidate their position and continue their current good form is the Robins' aim.

"Playing against an old team obviously motivates you a bit more," Penn said.

"You've got things to prove to the fans and to your old teammates.

"I think we've just got to go there with the same mental strength and the same desire we've had in the last couple of games.

"If we do that and perform like we have done the last couple of games we'll be fine."

Penn believes Burton and Cheltenham are similar clubs and on a par with each other in terms of performance this season.

However, Cheltenham have played Burton three times since Penn left the club and have won each encounter.

Burton are currently fifth in the table, with a game in hand, and Penn knows they must be careful not to underestimate their chances against Cheltenham.

Penn said "Burton have had a great year this year, but hopefully we can beat them in the promotion race."

For Penn, facing Burton could get personal.

Former Burton team-mate Cleveland Taylor said Penn would regret leaving Burton to join Cheltenham two years ago, and that signing with the Robins was a step backwards for the midfielder.

Penn was quick to brush this aside as banter.

"It was a bit of harmless banter really," he said.

"I know Cleevland quite well and he's a sound lad. I think it was just tongue-in-cheek stuff said at the time.

"But it definitely motivates you.

"I'm expecting a bit of banter on the pitch when I see the lads, but obviously you just get down to business.

"I'm employed by Cheltenham and want to win games and stay in the top three in the table."

The 28-year-old knows his side got the necessary result on Tuesday, as Paul Benson scored a dramatic last-minute header against Chesterfield to make it 1-0, but was ultimately a little disappointed with the overall performance.

"The last-minute winner was great, but the match overall wasn't as good as we have performed recently," he said.

"But we stuck at it, dug in, kept a clean sheet and if you keep a clean sheet you always have that chance to win."

At the sharp end of the season, all eyes are now on the teams' results surrounding Cheltenham in the top seven.

And the players cannot avoid analysing the League Two results either.

Penn said: "You've got to take notice of the other results but if we take care of our business and if we win our games we'll be promoted.

"We can only focus on that and do what we do best."

■ For a video interview with Russ Penn visit www.thisis gloucestershire.co.uk.