Allen impressed by Spencer outing

Spencer has scored 36 goals for Town

Cheltenham boss Martin Allen insists he has not closed the door on striker Damian Spencer's future at the club.

The 27-year-old, who scored twice in the reserves' 4-0 victory over Yeovil, has been placed on the transfer list and is available for a nominal fee.

He is keen to stay at Whaddon Road and that performance caught Allen's eye.

"He played after being out for a while and was a double handful. That's the best I've seen him play," Allen told BBC Radio Gloucestershire.

"Whether he's on the transfer list is irrelevant to me, that's a separate issue.

"Some of that is down to finance and I can't control that. All I've said to the players is if they're under contract to me and they play well then they'll play.

"If they keep training and practicing hard then their chances will come. If he gets the chance to step up then he's got to show that at first-team level."

Spencer has made more than 250 appearances for the Robins and scored 36 goals since joining from Bristol City in the summer of 2002.

But this season his prospects have been blighted by two knee injuries and he is just returning from a medial ligament problem.

"I was told I was on the list which was a bit of a shock because I worked hard to get myself back fit.

"I am settled here and I live in the area so I'd like to stay, but you never know what's going to happen in football. I just want to get my fitness up and prove myself.

"I'd be happy to stay and I'm just going to work hard and see what happens at the end of the season.

"I've been here a long time, through relegation, promotion and staying up twice in the last two seasons."