Darren Kenton is hoping that he is on his way towards earning a long-term deal at Cheltenham Town after helping the Robins out of the League One relegation zone.

The former Leicester and Norwich defender scored in Saturday's 4-3 win against Colchester United.

Kenton is on a three-month deal at Whaddon Road but will move to the area this week, and he admits Cheltenham are a club on the up under new manager Martin Allen.

"I hope I am on the way to a longer deal," he admitted. "This is a really good club. It's a club which is going places whith a good manager and a good chairman. We can push up the league.

"Confidence was a bit low, but there are a lot of good players here and there is competition for places now. We can look towards mid-table or even close to the play-offs.

"I am moving up to the area now because getting up at 7am doesn't really agree with me, so I am moving over here for the next three months."

Kenton's optimism is impressive, but he acknowledges the team needs to shut the door at the back. His first two games for the club have ended 3-3 (at Brighton) and 4-3.

"If people want to see goals they should come and see Cheltenham at the moment. Thirteen goals in the last two games – it has been entertaining," he said.

"The gaffer has got us trying to play attractive football and we are obviously scoring a lot but we are letting a few too many in. As a defender, letting in six goals in the last two games isn't really good enough, but we have got a draw and a win and we'll take that."

Kenton admits he is not yet fully match-fit. He added: "The fitness is coming along. Colchester was my first 90 minutes since April, and I missed pre-season as well."

Kenton showed his versatility on Saturday by starting at right-back before switching to centre-half. He said: "I have played centre-half as well as right-back and midfield through my career. I prefer centre-half because you don't have to run as much! But I don't really mind."

Meanwhile, Kenton admits Cheltenham have pulled off a coup to get central midfielder James Wesolowski on loan from his old club Leicester.

"I have been with him for the last couple of years and he is a very good player," he said.