9.12am - Tunani misses out on chance to impress

CHELTENHAM TOWN'S reserve clash against Plymouth Argyle due to be played at Whaddon Road this afternoon has been postponed due to inclement weather.

Heavy rain has left areas of standing water at the edges of the Whaddon Road pitch and an early decision was made to postpone the game to prevent Plymouth from making the long trip.

The news will come as a blow to Robins boss Keith Downing who had been hoping to have a second look at French triallist Kevin Tunani.

Tunani impressed in a behind closed doors friendly last week and had been due to play this afternoon as he attempts to earn a contract with the Robins.

The 21-year-old former Bordeaux player had been hoping to impress manager Keith Downing and fulfil a dream of playing football in England.

"Since I was a little kid, I have always wanted to live and play football here in England," Tunani said.

"There is a real passion with the fans so to play over here would be a dream come true.

"The guys are really great with me here and they have given me a really good workout.

"My goal now is to try and sign here and get some good results."

Montreuil-born Tunani joined French top flight club FC Girondins de Bordeaux at the age of 14 and signed professional terms last summer.

He spent time as captain of Bordeaux's reserve side and was loaned to AS Beauvais Oise, who play in the Championnat National, the third highest tier of French football.

The athletic and rangy Tunani has been compared to former Arsenal star Patrick Vieira, now with Italian club Inter Milan.

"I try to keep things simple, passing and making the team play," he said.

"I like to go forward to help the strikers and try to score sometimes, but I like to be everywhere on the pitch."

The Robins reserve side are not in action again for a further two weeks.

The team travel to Bournemouth on September 23rd.