CHRIS Stokes’ pending move to Coventry City is still on, despite a knee ligament injury suffered by Forest Green captain Marcus Kelly.

The in-form left-back hobbled off in the 67th minute of Rovers’ 2-2 draw at Altrincham last weekend, and is a major doubt for this Saturday’s home clash against Conference basement boys AFC Telford.

Left-back Stokes is the natural replacement for Kelly, but Forest Green boss Ady Pennock has granted the former Bolton player permission to train with Steven Pressley’s League One squad this week.

Stokes is set to feature for Coventry City in his second development game against Huddersfield Town Under-21s this Thursday, but is understood to be attracting interest from Newport County and Stevenage.

Former Forest Green boss David Hockaday, who is now a development coach at the Sky Blues, said:“Chris did everything he could do in the development game against Crewe.

“So, ideally, we would like to see him in another game where he will be pushed more like he would if he was playing for the first team.

“Forest Green don’t want to stand in his way and have allowed him to train with us.”

Despite feeling the half-time wrath of boss Pennock, Rovers pushed their unbeaten run to seven games with a hard-earned point at Altrincham last Saturday.

In-form Jon Parkin’s rasping strike from outside the area, his ninth goal in seven games, gave Rovers an early lead.

Poor defending saw Kyle Perry level moments later, before Damian Reeves’s 15th of the season put Alty ahead at the break.

Danny Coles was dismissed for a second booking, but Rob Sinclair snatched a point from a James Marwood cross for 2-2.

“Their equaliser was terrible from our point of view. We have not learned not to shut off after scoring. I had a lot to say at half-time and we will take 2-2.”

Rovers maintain their place in the play-offs, four points clear of sixth-placed Eastleigh.

Aarran Racine (knee) is set for a timely return to replace the suspended Coles against AFC Telford on Saturday.

THE Good Friday home clash with Aldershot in April has been selected for live coverage on BT Sport, kick-off 4.30pm.