Source: FOOTYMAD
Forest Green v York City
Hopes of leading scorer Richard Brodie coming charging to the rescue following a really bad week for York City remain on hold after the 27-goal striker was described as only 50/50 for the weekend trip to Forest Green Rovers. The Minstermen have endured a difficult few days in which they surrendered their unbeaten home record to Eastbourne Borough last weekend before making a disappointing exit from the FA Trophy at Barrow three days later - their first back-to-back defeats this season. Luke Graham (left) should return for the Minstermen Brodie missed both those games, together with the previous 0-0 home draw with promotion rivals Luton Town, after being sent-off in the recent defeat at Ebbsfleet United. However, having finally now completed his three-match ban the Gateshead-born marksman is currently struggling with a calf injury collected in training during the week.“Brodes has some soreness in his calf and we will have to leave that decision until late on. He’s probably 50-50.” manager Martin Foyle told The Press.“He’s had an impact on the team all season and, at the moment, he’s one of our leaders, not so much in a vocal sense, but in terms of his performances. Having him back at the right time will certainly give everybody a lift.” The visitors will still be without midfielder Alex Lawless (inset) who remains sidelined with a hamstring problem and therefore misses out on a return to his former club, while centre-back Luke Graham appears certain to earn a recall after being rested for the midweek trip to Barrow. York are without a victory in four games, three of which have been lost, and Foyle was calling upon his charges to show their true character and fight their way through their recent unproductive spell.“It’s a situation that is something new for this group of players and, at times like this, you need your leaders to come out of the pack and start to organise everything," he added.“I was disappointed at Barrow to see our heads go down for the first time in a long time after the first goal went in. You can still win if you go behind and we have stressed that before tomorrow’s match." Forest Green are themselves desperate for points in order to pull away from trouble, and veteran Huddersfield Town, Nottingham Forest and Sheffield Wednesday centre-back has been recruited on loan from Mansfield Town. He is set to be handed a debut alongside Mark Preece in the heart of their defence, while ex-Barnsley and Bradford City striker Isiah Rankin will offer their major goal threat further forward.Their most creative player, Conal Platt, is likely to be recalled to the starting line-up after impressing as a recent substitute, although one-time City trialist Tyrone Berry, who recently joined Rovers on non-contract terms, was not expected to be involved.
