Brimming with confidence, José Márquez is ready to hit the ground running as Forest Green Rovers’ only fit and available striker this weekend.
Márquez, who was recalled from his productive loan spell at Worthing on Sunday night, has returned to The New Lawn in rude health after scoring three goals in Worthing’s last five league matches.
The 20-year-old scored his final goal for the National League side late on in Saturday’s 3-1 victory at Hartlepool United.
But Márquez’s return has come at a crucial time for Forest Green, with Robbie Savage confirming that Bristol Rovers loanee Mees Rijks suffered a training-ground injury this week and is expected to be sidelined for around a month.
Rijks is currently on crutches, leaving Márquez as Rovers’ only recognised striker ahead of Saturday’s trip to Sutton United.
Ricardo Rees is already ruled out with a long-term injury, while D’Mani Mellor and Kairo Mitchell are unavailable because of international call-ups.
Asked about the sudden recall, the former Forest Green Academy striker said:
“To be fair, it was a bit delayed. We got given Monday off, so luckily I brought my boots back. And then I got a message Sunday night saying I’ve been recalled. So yeah, it kind of happened the next day.”
Asked whether he had been expecting the call, he said: “I think with obviously knee injuries we’ve had here, and maybe the forward line not scoring as much as we’d like to, I thought there could be a chance after obviously I’ve scored three goals and I’ve done well. So I was kind of expecting it and now it’s happening. I’m glad to be here.”
And Márquez believes the loan spell was exactly what he needed.
“I think it was great. I loved it. That club is a brilliant club and it’s a well-run club. And obviously, I was enjoying football there. I got on with all the boys. I was playing minutes and that was the main thing.
“I think the main thing was for me to go out and play football, and maybe I wasn’t getting the opportunity here. So obviously when that came about, I couldn’t really turn it down.
“And then to be playing in the National League, it was good. And then obviously to prove that I can score goals in the National League is also a bonus.”
Márquez says proving he can score at that level has given him renewed belief.
“I think now I can prove to myself and to this club that I can score goals at this level, and I want to start doing it for Forest Green.”
The youngster admits his confidence has changed significantly since last season.
“I think probably last season when I was coming off the bench I was a bit unsure if I was up to the level, but now I’ve got to learn I’m so confident I can score goals for us and do well.”
With Rijks now sidelined, Márquez knows he has an immediate opportunity to lead the line.
“Obviously training’s been intense and that’s where Mees has picked up his injury and it’s unfortunate, but I’ve got to be ready and I am ready and I’m looking forward to Saturday.”
He is also confident Forest Green’s attacking style will provide opportunities.
“I think with the quality we’ve got in that changing room we’re going to create chances and I’m so confident that I can score goals. So that’s what will happen.”
Forest Green face Sutton United on Saturday, with Márquez acknowledging the threat posed by a side containing several familiar faces.
“They’ve got some good players there. Obviously Jordy (Jordan Moore-Taylor) there as well from last season. I think he’s out injured, but they’ve got a great team. They’re doing well this season. So it’s going to be a tough battle, but we’re confident going into it.”
With the table tightly packed, Márquez believes a run of victories could quickly change Forest Green’s position.
“I think obviously we’ve got a three-game week coming up with Tuesday and then obviously this Saturday and then Scunthorpe the Saturday after. So if we can pick up three wins on the bounce, get a little run going, we’ll be in the play-offs where we deserve to be.”
The striker also sees the current injury and international situation as an opportunity to establish himself in the team.
“It’s an opportunity and it’s down to me to take it now. Obviously with there not being any forwards to pick in the forward line, I’ve got my opportunity and it’s down to me to take it.”
With Forest Green’s squad stretched in several areas, Márquez says competition for places remains fierce.
“I think obviously everyone wants to start a game. And I think from training, from the first session that I come back in, you can see that everyone’s hungry and wants to get into the starting lineup. And, it’s an opportunity for three players to get into the team, and everyone’s battling hard in training to get that shirt.”
Looking back at his time at Worthing, Márquez says it could hardly have gone better.
“I think obviously as a striker you want to score, and then me doing that kind of as soon as I got there was brilliant, it was a positive. And yeah, it was good, obviously. Even when I was on the bench, I knew I was going to come on at some point and I knew I could make an impact.”
He has now been challenged with becoming the kind of striker Forest Green have been missing in the penalty area.
“I think I know where the goal is and I kind of proved that each loan I’ve been on. But now it’s about doing it here.”
And Márquez believes his instincts inside the box could prove crucial.
“I think I’m always sniffing around little kind of chances that I can create, in spaces I can get into to score and in and around the box, I’m always looking for the ball to score.”
Listen to the full Marquez interview here
