DEFENDER Jack Higgins says revenge is not on the mind for Yellows ahead of today’s FA Trophy clash with old club Ashton United.

The sides have already met twice in the Evo-Stik Premier Division this season, with the Robins winning both games without conceding a goal.

However, while admitting it would be nice to “pull one back” on Jody Banim’s side, Higgins said Warrington’s main motivation is progress in the competition.

Higgins enjoyed a successful spell at Hurst Cross between 2013 and 2015 and says a few of his old teammates have not been shy in reminding him of Town’s struggles against Ashton this season.

“It would be nice to think we could pull one back on them, but it won’t affect our preparation in the slightest,” he said.

“I had two great years at Ashton and I know a lot of the players there. They’ve not been slow in letting me know they’ve beaten us twice already this season!

“Every game is different, though, whether it’s against the same opposition or not.

“It’s a cup game, so anything can happen in a one-off game. You’re not worried about your goal difference or league position.

“It’s irrelevant they are my old club and that they’ve beaten us twice. We just want to get through in the FA Trophy.”

Higgins arrived at Cantilever Park from York City in the summer but missed the opening weeks of the season while he recovered from hip surgery.

He missed Saturday’s game against Sutton Coldfield Town through suspension but looks set to partner Jay McCarten in defence against his old club this weekend.

The 26-year-old says his accumulation of yellow cards could be explained by his gradual building of fitness.

Higgins admits he is only “80 per cent fit” but says his match sharpness is building all the time.

“I’ve think I’ve only been suspended once in my career before this one!” he said.

“I’d still say I’m probably playing at about 80 per cent. I’ve not had a pre-season and there’s always an argument as to whether you can gain that full fitness without it.

“With some of the bookings I’ve had, it’s through being in the wrong position.

“That’s a lack of match sharpness but that will come in time.

“It’s difficult to do much work yourself when you’re playing Saturday-Tuesday, but now the midweek games I’ve finished I can put in a bit more position-specific fitness work.”

Despite being injured for pre-season and the start of the campaign, the former Stalybridge defender says settling in at the club has been easy.

He also told of how he nearly signed for manager Paul Carden once before during the Yellows boss’s spell in charge of Southport.

“When I met the manager, I was only six weeks post-operation and I knew I wasn’t even going to be able to run until 12 weeks,” he said.

“I had a bit of a setback after coming on against Farsley and had a little niggle from then. That was the only frustrating aspect for me.

“I knew a lot of the lads anyway, so in terms of settling in it hasn’t been a problem.

“I knew the manager as well, I nearly signed for him at Southport a few years back, so it has been a pretty easy process.”