Forest Green boss Robbie Savage is set to sign centre-back Gabe Kircough from Cymru Premier side Penybont.
Stroud Times understands the 21-year-old defender passed a medical at Rovers’ Candriam Training Ground on Saturday and is due to ink his deal on Monday.
Kircough, 21, has played a pivotal role in both of Penybont’s UEFA Conference League Qualifiers. His arrival negates the loss of Ryan Inniss who is expected to be out for six weeks.
Rovers’ boss Robbie Savage was delighted with his side’s 2-0 FA Trophy victory at Ebbsfleet as he watched his side moved comfortably into the last sixteen thanks to goals from Isaac Moore and Kanu Abraham, and despite no official announcement on Kircough, he said: “We’ve got a new signing, all agreed on Monday. That will be announced. He’s had a medical today (Saturday), passed it. He’s a very hot prospect, one of the hottest prospects in the Welsh Prem.
“So again, there’s been a lot of clubs after him, but he’s decided to sign for us, which is a brilliant thing. We worked hard on it. Had him watched like Ricardo Rees numerous times.
“He’s at a great age. He’s got lots of development in him. And that’s what we’re doing as a football club now.
“So yeah, when it’s announced, league clubs wanted him — but we got him. So again, it’s another brilliant acquisition for our football club going in the right direction. That will be announced on Monday, and hopefully we’ll have more news on Wednesday about another player coming in.”
Savage was pleased with the performance of Fulham loanee Chibuzo Nwoko, who made his debut at the heart of Rovers’ midfield: “I thought Chibby was outstanding in the middle of the park. The two goals were brilliant. Isaac Moore with a rebound. And then Kanu (Abraham) got the second to finish the game off. Harry (Isted), I thought, was brilliant.
“And some of that crowd behind us were brilliant, by the way, saying, you know, ‘How are you winning this?’ I think we were 1-0 up. We missed two chances to go 2–0 up. And then they should have scored, except for a brilliant defender and a great save. And then we got the second in about the 87th minute to finish the game off. So a professional performance into the next round.
“That’s three sides in this league we’ve beaten in two competitions, no scoring. It was at 10 goals and only one conceded against teams from the National League South.”
Forest Green owner Dale Vince attended the game at Ebbsfleet and Savage revealed his chairman was enjoying Rovers’ fine form: “He’s enjoying his football at the minute. I’m delighted to have my owner here. it’s a competition that we’ve discussed and we want to go far in.
“He’s backed me, he’s backed, you know, all his managers. And he loves his football right now. And for him to travel, you know, from wherever he lives — I don’t know, give away where he lives — it’s brilliant and I’m glad he’s here.
“The whole football club has such an alignment and such togetherness. And that proves it, that the owner travels the distances to come and support his football club.
“We’ve got a great relationship and I’m just delighted for my team today and the fans. Got to say again, the fans — brilliant in their numbers on a cold day.
“We’ve had a lot of travel and for them again to come in the FA Trophy to cheer on their side. I’m proud of my fans, proud of my football club. You know, it’s been a good day.
“I was at Wrexham last night to see my hometown club go through. My old club, Macclesfield, go through in the FA Cup — probably the greatest shock ever. And us to progress, so it’s been a good weekend.”
Savage is a student of the game and admitted he’s forever learning: “You always learn. I’m learning every single day as a manager. I’m learning every single day about my players, about my staff.
“I said to my players before the game — whether this is right or wrong — I listen to managers, I’m a student of football, I love it. I gain knowledge off other managers. I listened to Sean Dyche last night after the game and it was fascinating.
“And I said to the players, ‘Did you watch that?’ So I’m picking a team today with nine changes. If we get beat, I’ll always take responsibility, because I picked the team.
“But today, at times, with nine changes — you’re all good enough. You all knock on my door and want more minutes. So I said to them, ‘It’s on you. It’s on you. I can’t give you any more. My staff can’t give you any more. Gav, you know, with the kit — nobody can give you any more.’
“So today you go out there, and if we get beat, it’s on you because you’ve got the opportunity to go and impress. Go and show my staff. Go and show the fans that you’re ready to start every week.
“And they’ve done it. And I’m proud of them because they needed to do that. So yeah, I was delighted for them. They took accountability, responsibility.
“And they can knock on my door now. Every one of them who started today can say, ‘You know what? I’ve done great.’ So knock on my door and say, ‘I want more chances.’ Brilliant.”
