FOREST GREEN boss Mark Cooper wants to sign a ‘couple of players’ before the transfer window slams shut in eleven days time.

With prime target Kaiyne Woolery opting for League Two rivals Swindon Town, Cooper is keen to bolster his small squad.

Rovers' boss was on the verge of signing an experienced defender last week, but talks ended after the unnamed player rejected a one-year offer.

And the door on a move for former loan player Mark Ellis looks closed for now after the Carlisle United defender is back-in-favour with Keith Curle.

Ellis, who has started Carlisle's last three games and helped Curle's side to successive victories, including yesterday's win over Cheltenham Town.

Cooper said: "Mark did really well [for us last season]. He got better the closer we got to the play-offs. He was a real stalwart.

"But he's under contract at Carlisle. He's got a year left so there's money involved with that one - so that's not something we can do at the moment."

Meanwhile, Cooper championed the impact Nottingham Forest loan signing Alex Iacovitti had in the 4-3 win over Yeovil Town on Saturday.

With Rovers 3-2 down at the break, Iacovitti appeared for the second-half in place of injured Jack Fitzwater.

"We're crying out for a bit of experience at the back, but players like this are not easy to get, and cost a lot of money, but I think when Alex Iacovitti came on you could see he gave us a bit of a lift.”

With Rob Sinclair, Fabien Robert and Rhys Murphy training with the academy and available for transfer, Cooper is keen to bolster the ranks.

He added: “We need a couple of players - we're not big in numbers and have to remember we have to get to January with enough players, with all the games we have got, so we're looking to do business, but nothing is final at the moment."