Chris Stokes set for second Forest Green debut against Walsall

Posted Friday, February 07, 2020 by PA

Chris Stokes could make his second debut for Forest Green Rovers in Saturday’s Sky Bet League Two clash with Walsall at The New Lawn.

Left-back Stokes, who previously played for Rovers for five years from 2010-15, was signed late on deadline day from Stevenage on a contract through to the end of the season and missed last Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Grimsby.

Stokes has been brought in as left-back cover with Joe Mills out for another few weeks with a knee injury, the Forest Green captain one of a number of players on the sidelines for manager Mark Cooper.

Defender Liam Shephard, along with midfielders Jevani Brown and Dayle Grubb all have hamstring issues.

Goalkeeper Jack Rose is pushing for a first-team place after failing to appear since early November due to the form of Liam Roberts.

But the Saddlers have lost their last three league matches, with Rose pressing his claim for a recall following 90 minutes for the reserves this week.

Boss Darrell Clarke, meanwhile, has insisted midfielder Alfie Bates has not been frozen out of the first-team picture after failing to appear since January 11, but rather they are working with the player due to inconsistent performances.

Otherwise Clarke goes into the game with an apparently injury-free squad.