Lee Collins doubtful before Rovers face Carlisle

Posted Friday, March 15, 2019 by PA

Forest Green boss Mark Cooper only has one injury concern ahead of Saturday’s Sky Bet League Two showdown with Carlisle.

Skipper Lee Collins limped out of Tuesday night’s 3-0 victory at 10-man Colchester with a slight calf problem and is being assessed.

Cooper otherwise has a full squad from which to choose, with Dayle Grubb and Shawn McCoulsky both being named among the substitutes in midweek having not finished Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at Morecambe.

Midfielder Reece Brown started against Colchester having been used from the bench at the weekend, while striker Lewis Scoble’s last three appearances have come as a substitute.

Carlisle striker Mark Cullen is facing up to six weeks on the sidelines with a groin injury.

Manager Steven Pressley has confirmed the on-loan Blackpool frontman suffered a grade-two tear during last Saturday’s 2-1 win over Swindon.

That has come as a fresh blow to the Cumbrians, who lost teenage midfielder Liam McCarron for up to eight weeks with a knee injury earlier this month.

Pressley was impressed with Nathan Thomas’ contribution as a second-half substitute in Tuesday night’s 3-1 home defeat by Notts County, and the midfielder will hope he has done enough to earn a start.