FORMER Forest Green favourite Alex Lawless fears his anticipated return to the New Lawn with play-off chasing York City on Saturday (3pm) is in doubt.

Playmaker Lawless, 24, limped out of the action half-an-hour into York’s surprise 1-0 defeat at home to relegation-threatened Eastbourne.

Lawless said: “I have a sore hamstring and it looks doubtful that I will play in a game I was really looking forward to.

“I am obviously gutted to be honest, but I will see how the injury is later in the week.”

The ex-Welsh Under-21 international spent three seasons at the New Lawn after joining Rovers in the summer of 2006 under Gary Owers after a two-year stint with Torquay United.

Lawless left Forest Green to sign for City, where he broke his leg in the penultimate game of last season.

Rovers certainly holds a special place in the heart of Lawless.

He added: “I have some fantastic memories from my time at the New Lawn. I made friends with people who will be friends for life.

“I was especially proud to play 100 league games for the club.”

Born in the Rhondda Valley, he progressed through the youth ranks at Cardiff City, before signing pro terms with Fulham.

Meanwhile, Forest Green boss Dave Hockaday remains optimistic his side can pull clear of the drop and has called on the fans to get behind his relegation-threatened side.

Hockaday said: “Now is not the time for the faint-hearted or the moaners, now is the time for everyone involved with Forest Green s to rally together and push forward as one in our battle for survival.”