ALEX Sykes is hoping journeyman striker Josh Klein- Davies will fall back in love with football at Shortwood United.

The former Bristol Rovers star trained with his new Shortwood team-mates last night and goes straing into the squad for the visit of Swindon Superamrine on Saturday.

Klein-Davies, 25, started his career with Bristol City before signing professional terms at city rivals Rovers where he made 11 appearances for the first team, scoring once.

He has enjoyed loan spells with Bath City, Newport County and Luton Town, and had a trial at Forest Green three years ago before joining Paulton last season. He was part of the Paulton squad that won promotion through the Division 1 play-offs and has recently played for Frome Town and Bishops Sutton.

“Josh had fallen out of love with the football and we hope he can rediscover the love with us,” said joint-manager Sykes.

“He is proven at this level and above and has undoubted ability.”

Shortwood are suffering their first blip of the season, with their cup exit at Swindon Supermarine in the week following consecutive league defeats to Larkhall Athletic and Cinderford Town, dropping to ninth in the table and six points outside the play-offs.

However, Sykes remains confident his side can turn the corner.

“We have discussed it internally. It’s the first time we’ve lost two league matches on the bounce so it’s a bit of a dip in form but we’re still in a good place and still in contention for the play-offs.

“We’ve got seven games coming up this month and we will batten down the hatches and our focus is on putting some results together.”

Although Marine have already beaten Shortwood this week, boss Dave Webb is adamant that complacency will not be an issue.

“This game is more important than the cup one given our league position and the fact we are playing catch up,” said Webb.

“It will be a very different game to Tuesday and I’m sure they will have a few players coming back in.

“Our players won’t be getting carried away after the result in midweek. Not many teams go to Shortwood and get anything.

“They have got quality in all areas and work extremely hard. That’s something we’ll try to match in our own game – we need to out-work them.

“They are up near the play-offs and that’s just about where they have been ever since they got promoted from the Hellenic League, so we know they’re a good side.”

Marine will include Forest Green Academy players Scott Bevan, Cameron Pirie and Dan Martin.