For the second summer in succession Cheltenham Town face a battle to retain the services of Harry Pell.

A rival League Two club are keen to sign the 26-year-old, who was close to joining Blackpool in a £200,000 move last August.

On that occasion the Robins accepted the bid, but with a two year deal on the table Pell failed to agree personal terms with the newly-promoted League One side.

He missed the first game of this season, a 2-1 defeat at Morecambe, due to the proposed switch to Bloomfield Road.

But he returned as a substitute to help Cheltenham knock League One Oxford United out of the Carabao Cup at the Kassam Stadium three days later.

Chesterfield were also keen on the 6ft 5in midfielder last summer, but a different club from the fourth tier have now made an approach to capture his signature ahead of 2018/19.

Pell signed a two-and-a-half year contract extension in January 2017, keeping him at Whaddon Road until the end of next season.

He joined Cheltenham ahead of their National League title winning campaign of 2015/16, instantly becoming a fans' favourite and he has made more than 120 starts for the club.

Born in Essex, Pell started out in the youth set-up at Charlton Athletic before spells at Bristol Rovers, Hereford, AFC Wimbledon and Eastleigh.

A specialist central midfielder, Pell has also been used as a wide forward and a central striker in his three years with the Robins.

He has scored three goals in his last five games, including a brace in the 5-3 win at Crawley Town on March 24.

Harry Pell celebrates his opener
Harry Pell celebrates his opener

But he missed Saturday's 4-3 defeat at Cambridge United after having two wisdom teeth removed.

When he is on song he is undoubtedly one of Cheltenham's most influential players, regularly catching the eye of opposition managers and fans alike.