Forest Green return to league action when they take on Morecambe at the New Lawn.

Rovers are currently ninth in League Two while visitors Morecambe lie in 20th position as Cooper side play their first league game since November 3.

Here is all you need to know ahead of the match.

Opponents: Morecambe
Venue: The New Lawn
time: 3pm

TEAM NEWS

Jo Mills and Isaac Pearce should be available for Forest Green after their injuries while Liam Shephard and Lee Collins remain side-lined.

Stroud News and Journal:

Morecambe boss Jim Bentley confirmed full-back Zak Mills requires a hernia operation and will be out for a few weeks.

The Shrimps will also be without long term absentees Andrew, Fleming, James Sinclair and Lamin Jagbe while keeper Barry Roche has a thigh injury.

FORM GUIDE

It’s no win in three games in all competitions for Forest Green however they can take plenty of encouragement from their credible draw at Oxford United.

Rovers are unbeaten at the New Lawn in the league.

Morecambe come into the game on a three match unbeaten run. They drew with Newport County before they beat Yeovil Town in the league but those results were followed up with a 0-0 draw at home to National League FC Halifax Town in the FA Cup.

The Shrimps are unbeaten in four on the road and haven’t lost away from home since September 15.

PREVIOUS MEETING

Morecambe 1-1 Forest Green – February 17, 2018 Chris Clements gave Rovers the lead, but the hosts rescued a point in the 90th minute through Gregg Wylde.

MANAGERS VIEW

Mark Cooper: “We've seen them on our software so we've watched their last three or four games and we're really impressed with them and not quite got the results they've deserved but they play some really good football.

"Jim Bentley puts out teams that are easy on the eye and try and play and they're doing that this season.

"It's the most important game as it's the next one so it's one we want to win."

Stroud News and Journal:

Jim Bentley: “we expect a tough game particularly with Forest Green. They’re a good side, an ambitious club who have invested. I know Mark Cooper very well, an ex-teammate of mine at Telford and he’s a good guy who knows the level now.

“He’s assembled a good squad, they have good players in all positions and don’t lose many games. They’ve got players who can hurt you but he’ll be saying the same thing to them if he’s looked at our form and play of late. We’re creating chances, working hard and showing the aggression we want. It’s got the making of a good game.”

PEDICTED LINEUP

(4-2-3-1): Sanchez, Winchester, Rawson, McGinley, Mills, Digby, James, Grubb, Brown, Archibald, Reid.

SNJ VERDICT

It feels like a while since Rovers played in the league. A gut-wrenching defeat to Lincoln last time out was frustrating and felt so unjustified.

Rovers will want to earn their first win since their impressive win at Exeter three weeks ago but face a Morecambe who have stabilised in recent weeks after a tough start.

The Shrimps lost seven of their first eight games but have since only suffered three defeats in their last nine matches.

Both sides implement a passing, footballing style so it could be quite an open game at the New Lawn in a game which pits Bentley, longest serving manager in the country come up against Cooper who is now the 20th longest serving.

With Christmas not too far away, Rovers need to keep within touching distance of the play-offs and these are the type of games, especially at home, they need to be winning if they want to finish in the top seven.

PREDICTION

Forest Green 2-1 Morecambe