Rovers striker set for early debut

The 18-year-old National League attacker, pictured, is in line to go straight into the Whites squad for the clash at the the Ray Mac after signing for manager Steve Claridge on Friday.

A former Blackburn Rovers scholar and the son of former Bristol Rovers player and Gloucester City boss David Mehew, the teenager impressed Claridge and director of football Micky Jenkins in a recent game at the Ray Mac, showing his lightning pace while turning out on loan for Mangotsfield United in a 2-1 win for the Whites.

Claridge, who made his move with Mehew's loan at the Bristol club from the National League coming to an end, said: "He's pacy and enthusiastic and he'll bring us another attacking option as he can play up front or wide.

"What was encouraging was that Olly really wanted to come to the Ray Mac having played here and seen the set-up when he had offers from clubs higher up. We're grateful for a great friend of the club, Scott Bartlett at the Forest Green academy, agreeing the arrangement."

Claridge will be missing just George Colson and long-term injury absentees Calum Brockway and Callum Hart for his fifth-placed side's EVO-STIK League Southern South and West Division fixture at the weekend.

After Friday's signing, Claridge urged his Whites to forget last week's Emirates FA Cup win over Frome Town and next weekend's big tie against Gloucester City at the Ray Mac.

"There will be no taking the foot off the gas," said Claridge. "It's not good enough just to raise our game for the Cup. We have set the standard and now we need to see that every week."

He added: "I'm confident we can. There is a good feeling around the club at the moment. The boys are bouncy and bubbly and there's a lot of belief."

Image courtesy of www.salisburyfc.co.uk

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