BENNETT’S PROMOTION DREAM IS EVANS-SENT

RHYS BENNETT told Steve Evans when they were at League Two Mansfield that his target was to play in the Championship.

Now they are trying to make that dream a reality after joining forces again at Peterborough.

Defender Bennett was reunited with promotion-specialist Evans when he joined Posh in the summer. And he fits perfectly into the squad of hungry players the Scottish manager has assembled in a huge summer turnover at the League One leaders.

Bennett (above) said: “At Mansfield I told him I want to play in the Championship and test myself at the highest level I can. “When I spoke to him in the summer he said, ‘Our aim is promotion to the Championship, I know that’s where you want to play and we believe you can play there’.

“So I thought, ‘Right, let’s go. I’ll run there if I have to’.”

Evans’ overhaul has left him with “an embarrassment of riches” and “magic all over the pitch” according to Bennett, underlined by Posh’s free-scoring start to the season.

Bennett said: “The gaffer has recruited well and signed players that are hungry and have a point to prove at this level.

“We know as a group that once we get that chance we have to make this season work.”

Evans (above) is eyeing the seventh promotion of his career and Bennett added: “If I could sum him up in one word I would say winner. He gets success everywhere he goes.

“People can argue a lot of things about him but that is one thing you can’t argue with.”

Unbeaten Peterborough are two points clear of visitors Portsmouth heading into today’s top-two tussle.

Bennett said: “We’ve had a great start. I know it’s early in the season but if we win it’s a big statement for the rest of the league.”