STEVE Perrin is winning his fight to be for the new football season.

The former Chippenham Town and Melksham Town goalkeeper Steve Perrin is on course to make his playing comeback for Forest Green Rovers in their pre-season friendly against Bristol Rovers tomorrow.

Perrin has been sidelined for five weeks since undergoing surgery on a long-standing groin problem, known as a Gilmore's Groin, in early July.

The operation has left Perrin a frustrated spectator during the last month as Forest Green began their pre-season campaign.

He is also captain of the Wiltshire cricket team and will not play for his county or club side Corsham again this summer.

But Perrin has been pleased with the speed of his recovery and hoped to make a brief appearance in Forest Green's friendly against Mangotsfield last night.

He said: "I trained on Monday and had my first proper goalkeeping session, but haven't really been kicking the ball yet as there is no need to push it so early.

"The aim is to be fit for Bristol Rovers at the weekend and I want to get the full 90 minutes.

"Everything seems to be alright at the moment, touch wood, and hopefully I'll be okay.

"I've followed the five week programme I was given when I had the operation and, if you follow it to the letter as I have, everything should be fine."

Perrin admitted watching both his football and cricket team-mates from the sidelines this summer had been difficult.

He said: "I never like missing games, whether it be football or cricket.

"I'm not a good watcher and just want to be out there.

"I was having a good cricket season personally and only managed to play about four games for Corsham, which was disappointing.

"I can't see myself playing cricket again this summer and just want to get fit for the opening game of the football season at Woking on August 17. Hopefully everything will be alright from then on in."

Perrin reckons Forest Green are well equipped to compete alongside some big-spending clubs in the Conference next term.

He said: "We'd like to get off to a good start, like we did last year, and have a decent cup run.

"The Conference is getting stronger and stronger every year, but I'm quite confident that we have a decent squad from what I've seen of the players so far."