Benson's move to Cheltenham back on the cards

6:00am Friday 25th January 2013 in STFC News By Sam Morshead

Paul Benson could be on his way to Cheltenham afterall Paul Benson could be on his way to Cheltenham afterall

PAUL Benson’s proposed move to Cheltenham Town could be back on the cards, as Paolo Di Canio looks to free up extra funds at the County Ground.

The striker recently turned down the notion of a move to the League Two outfit, who the Advertiser understands are willing to pay the vast majority of his wages for the remainder of the campaign, but he is now reconsidering his stance.

The Adver has learnt that Benson will watch Cheltenham in action on Friday night, when they entertain Rochdale at Whaddon Road, before making a final decision on whether or not to join the Robins on loan until the summer.

The 33-year-old, who still has 18 months left on his contract at the County Ground, is also believed to be interested in a move to Bristol Rovers but Town are unlikely to sanction that switch on financial grounds.

Southend are understood to be looking at Benson but, with a Johnstone’s Paint Trophy area final on the horizon, the Shrimpers are more likely to look at a forward who is not cup-tied in that competition.

Meanwhile, Di Canio revealed that Swindon have received an offer for out-of-favour midfielder Lee Cox.

“We have two offers for two of the three players that we want to put out. That can help,” he said.

“I think Cox has got a big chance because it’s a good club he can go to.

“Benson I’m sure in the next two or three days he can have an opportunity because the manager of this club that wanted him before told me they still want him.

“We told him and his agent that this club still want him desperately “This club wants to go up, you know who, and I hope in the next few days he’s going to clarify his brain and think it’s a big opportunity.”

Di Canio yesterday nonsensed reports linking Crystal Palace with a bid for Matt Ritchie, insisting the winger is not for sale.

When asked to give a valuation of his prized asset, the Italian said: “Matt is my player and I like him so my opinion can be totally a manager’s opinion, I don’t know, give me £20million.

“Is it crazy money? I’m joking obviously - £15million is okay.”

Finally, the Town boss confirmed that Danny Hollands’ foot injury is not as bad as first feared, as revealed by the Adver on Wednesday, but the midfielder will still spend six weeks recovering from a microfracture.

Di Canio said: “At the beginning, when I heard that there was a chance of eight to 10 weeks, it’s clear that it was difficult for me.

“The fact that the time was reduced by two or three weeks means a lot.”

Comments(14)

bowralbob says...
6:29am Fri 25 Jan 13

Sounds as though we will ease the wages bill if these deal go through. Beno could do a lot worse than Cheltenham as they are likely to be promoted.
Hope all goes our way over the next week or two, fingers crossed.
Heading back to the UK for the run in where I trust we will be pushing for promotion to the Championship.
Can we get a bet on a Andrew Fitton/ J Wray consortium buy out?

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LeGod says...
8:30am Fri 25 Jan 13

good luck to him wherever he moves to i would have thought cheltenham would have been the best move from a football point of view as they could get promotion this year and Benno will defintley provide them with the goals and experience.

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SAPFanSTFC says...
8:33am Fri 25 Jan 13

bowralbob wrote:
Sounds as though we will ease the wages bill if these deal go through. Beno could do a lot worse than Cheltenham as they are likely to be promoted.
Hope all goes our way over the next week or two, fingers crossed.
Heading back to the UK for the run in where I trust we will be pushing for promotion to the Championship.
Can we get a bet on a Andrew Fitton/ J Wray consortium buy out?
Agreed - could be a huge plus regarding Hollands and Martin if Benson, Cox and Rooney are loaned out.

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MITTED says...
9:16am Fri 25 Jan 13

Benson could do the same for Cheltenham that he did for us last season - be the piece in the jigsaw puzzle that drives them to promotion.
COYR

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TheDukeOfBanbury says...
9:49am Fri 25 Jan 13

Good move for everyone.

Cheltenham will benefit from Benno for sure. Player will actually be playing football and Town free up further wages.

As Del-Boy would say, "everyone's a winner"

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London Red says...
10:12am Fri 25 Jan 13

He could also add another medal to his collection!
.
Shame Southend are worried about the JPT - as that would probably be the best move for him - being his home town
.
Can't they use Benno is the league and Corr in the cup?
.
Wish him well wherever he goes- as he was vital in our title win and for that I will always be greatful

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scooby69 says...
10:58am Fri 25 Jan 13

Paul Benson, Luke Rooney and Lee Cox were all in the gym at Greenbridge yesterday.

From the looks of it they are doing their own training, I don’t think Paolo wants them with the rest of the squad, seeing as they are surplus to his requirements.

Shame but that’s football for you.

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Psychedelic Syd says...
11:17am Fri 25 Jan 13

It's a harsh world. Benno has been a fantastic professional in the short time that he has been here and he will do a good job wherever he goes. Lee Cox hardly played for us so I don't think we ever really got to see his true game - he must have shown something special for Paolo to have paid good money for him but the few times I saw him he was anonymous. Luke Rooney is still young and certainly had games that showed his flair and skill - I feel sorry for him because he seemed to have such high hopes when he came here and now it seems like his career is going nowhere. Good luck to all of them for the future.

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Wilesy says...
11:31am Fri 25 Jan 13

Surely promotion should be the priority for Southend. Benno will get them goals and probably promotion, can't believe they would not sign him and focus on the JPT!

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dreamofacleansheet2 says...
12:35pm Fri 25 Jan 13

Southend have loads of strikers but they are all injured. Wish him luck where ever he goes.

Didn't get a chance to comment post yesterday first thing. Agree with London Fitton did great things but if I'm not mistaken he tried to get involved in scouting players. Never a good idea in my mind.

JW as Chairman for me, communicated well with the fans at all times in a calm manor. Also backed the manager calmy when various media led storms erupted. Whoever owns the club should set a clear sustainable budget and then have JW as Chair and leave the Emperor in place to work his magic with his application and skills.

I said before if we can keep Martin and Hollands I think we are a left back, 2 centre midfielders, a left side midfielder and a striker away from having a team that could charge at the Championship.

Fingers and everything else crossed we get the one party we need.

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midland red says...
1:30pm Fri 25 Jan 13

Bit of a worry re; Crystal Palace and Richie now they have money in the bank from the sale of Zaha!
Watch this space but hope I'm wrong.

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London Red says...
2:14pm Fri 25 Jan 13

Dreams - no issue with scouting - and if he scouts a few moe Austin's, Caddis', Ferry's and Ritchie's then great!
.
Just no to forcing them on the manager (unless pre-agreed like foreign clubs) or choosing the line up
.
Midlean - if they now have £10 - they can easily afford PdC £2m+ valuation (yesterday was a joke last year wasn't)
.
If he goes for that - it should be thanks for all you've done Matt and good luck!

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Dover Red says...
4:09pm Fri 25 Jan 13

London Red wrote:
Dreams - no issue with scouting - and if he scouts a few moe Austin's, Caddis', Ferry's and Ritchie's then great!
.
Just no to forcing them on the manager (unless pre-agreed like foreign clubs) or choosing the line up
.
Midlean - if they now have £10 - they can easily afford PdC £2m+ valuation (yesterday was a joke last year wasn't)
.
If he goes for that - it should be thanks for all you've done Matt and good luck!
Agree 2 million would be too good to turn down, though would not think that offer will be made

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forzaswindon12 says...
6:42pm Fri 25 Jan 13

hope benno signs for southend, dont really want cheltenham getting any help from us in getting promoted

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