BILLY Jones is relishing the return to Cheltenham Town with Newport County AFC today but he insists he has nothing to prove to anyone at his old club, writes Andrew Penman.

The 30-year-old defender was released by the Robins in September with manager Mark Yates suggesting that he would be a ‘passenger’ if he had stayed at Cheltenham.

“We just felt he’d hit a brick wall and didn’t feel that he could contribute,” said Yates at the time.

“With a squad like ours we can’t have any passengers.”

But Jones has flourished since being picked up as a free agent by Exiles boss Justin Edinburgh and this week agreed an extension to his short-term contract to keep him at Rodney Parade until at least the middle of December.

And he is clear that there is no animosity on his part towards his former manager and is hoping for a repeat of his return to another of his old clubs Exeter City – when County earned their only away win in League Two.

“It’s always good to play against any old club,” he said. “I went back to Exeter in my second or third game here and that was nice.

“You have to treat it as any other game but it’s not long since I left so I’m looking forward to it.

“I don’t think I have anything to prove,” he added. “It’s what happens in football and I’ve got no problems with anyone at Cheltenham.

“I’ll speak to a few old faces and enjoy it. It’s been a few months and they haven’t bought anyone in so I’ll be able to give the gaffer a few pointers if he asks me but obviously he’ll have done his homework.”

On his Exiles future, Jones is happy to continue on a month to month basis for the time being.

“I’m here until the middle of December now, which is good,” he said. “I’ve spoken to the manager a few times and he’s pleased with me so I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing and see where that takes me.

“I was always pulled in as another body to add a bit of cover and I feel I’ve played well when I’ve had the chance.

“I’m happy with that and if it keeps earning me a contract then that’s fine by me.”