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Jack Payne faces his old Gillingham boss Martin Allen when Ebbsfleet United play Chesterfield

Jack Payne is aiming to get one over his old boss Martin Allen on the opening day of the new season.

Allen, who brings Chesterfield to Stonebridge Road on Saturday, sold Payne to Peterborough six months into his spell as Gillingham manager.

The pair didn't see eye to eye and the reunion has fit-again Payne fired up,

Jack Payne on the ball against Gills in pre-season Picture: Andy Payton
Jack Payne on the ball against Gills in pre-season Picture: Andy Payton

He said: "I didn't play too well under him to be fair. It's nice to play against your old managers but you want to win.

"I want to win on Saturday - not just because of him, but that's an added bonus. It's always nice to get one over an old manager."

Payne has declared himself "fit and ready to go" after a knee problem truncated his first season at Ebbsfleet.

The midfielder arrived from Blackpool as a League 2 promotion winner but never really got going.

Payne said: "It was frustrating for me and the gaffer. I only played 22 games but hopefully now I can kick on.

"The knee's been good. I've been looked after and only missed a couple of days' training.

"There were a couple of games last season when I started to show but it was hampered by injury.

"I was playing at the start of the season with the injury so I was not training as much as I needed to, which started to show. It was too sore and I couldn't get around the pitch.

"It was one of the most frustrating times. I came to a new club and they had a very good season but I missed a big chunk.

"That's my motivation for this year, knowing how well we can do. I want to be in the team every week."

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