Former Portsmouth, Chesterfield, Wigan and Huddersfield favourite sets sights on another promotion medal at Accrington

On Monday, the former Pompey favourite joined John Coleman’s ranks until the end of the season – just weeks after signing for Welsh Premier League side Bala Town following his Wigan departure.

Roberts, who played for Accy between 2005-07, adds to a Wham Stadium squad that sits eighth in the table but with the potential to move into the automatic promotion places with their games in hand.

Along with Lincoln, they're one of the division’s surprise packages this term.

And with promotions secured during his first spell at the club and at Huddersfield, Chesterfield, Wigan, and, of course, Pompey, Roberts hopes he can help Accrington reach the Championship for the first time – even if he's ‘not as quick’ as he used to be!

Speaking to the club’s website, the 36-year-old said: ‘I am not as quick as I was the first time around (at Accrington) and not as cheeky maybe!

‘I still love the game as much as I did when I walked through the door here and looking at it now, the club has changed an awful lot, the facilities and everything, and you can see them flying high.

‘I have trained today and it’s a good set of lads, good players, and hopefully we can push on to the top end of the league which is unbelievable for this club.

‘I like to think I have still got quality, you don’t lose that, and I can bring some experience.

‘They have a lot of games between now and the end of season, 31 I think, and I want to help the lads as much as I can and get some goals and assists.’

Two of Accrington's remaining 31 games are against Pompey, after last Saturday’s game at the Wham Stadium was postponed because of a frozen pitch.

It means Roberts has a chance of a Blues reunion, having played for the Fratton Park side on 80 occasions, scoring 20 goals, between 2015-2017.

In September, the midfielder revealed to The News the heartbreak he felt having his time on the south coast cut short by Kenny Jackett.

But after settling into familiar surroundings at Accy, the former Fratton favourite said he was delighted to be back at the Wham Stadium.

Roberts added: ‘I am made up to be back, to see a few old faces, it’s been a long time but I am happy to be here.

‘Your career goes quickly, coming back to see the gaffer and Jimmy (Bell) and the office staff, it feels like I have never been away, but 14 years is a long time.

‘Being here was of the best times in my career, we were tipped to do down that year, we had a small squad and we went to Scotland pre-season and didn’t look great and the next thing you know we were champions by a big margin.

‘It was one of the best times which you never forget in your career and it set me on my way to the career I have had.'

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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