Forest Green’s Forbes to join England for Moscow trip
Following sterling performances this season, Forest Green Rovers midfielder Kieron Forbes has been selected for the non-league England squad for the International Challenge Trophy against Russia on Tuesday 5 June.
The creative midfielder, who joined Rovers in December 2010, last played for England ‘C’ in February’s 1-1 draw with Italy, and joins the squad for manager Paul Fairclough’s second game in charge of the non-league national team.
Forbes had a strong season 2011-12 season at the heart of the Forest Green midfield, and has been one of the club’s most exciting players since joining from Isthmian Premier Division side Wealdstone in December 2010.
And at 22, Forbes is also one of the youngest players in the squad, alongside Kidderminster’s Anthony Malbon (20) and Luton Town’s Andre Gray (20), and will relish the chance to gain more experience in an important international fixture.
The match will be played in the Khimky Arena, the home of the legendary Moscow Dynamo FC, with England looking to build on the draw against the Italians in February.
England have won The International Challenge Trophy – an annual international competition, comprising non-league and U-23 players from across the world – seven times.
However, having finished runners-up at the last two tournaments, England will be particularly keen to take that one step further, emulating the team that picked up the trophy in 2008.
FULL SQUAD LIST
| Player | Club | Date of Birth |
| Kenny DAVIS | - Braintree Town FC | 17/04/1988 |
| Nathan McDONALD (GK) | - Braintree Town FC | 16/05/1991 |
| Rory McAULEY | - Cambridge United FC | 16/10/1989 |
| Junior BROWN | - Fleetwood Town FC | 07/05/1989 |
| Kieron FORBES | - Forest Green Rovers FC | 17/08/1990 |
| Scott GARNER | - Grimsby Town FC | 20/09/1989 |
| Michael COULSON | - Grimsby Town FC | 04/04/1988 |
| Simon AINGE | - Guiseley FC | 18/02/1988 |
| Anthony MALBON | - Kidderminster Harriers FC | 14/10/1991 |
| Marvin JOHNSON | - Kidderminster Harriers FC | 01/12/1990 |
| James VINCENT | - Kidderminster Harriers FC | 27/09/1989 |
| Andre GRAY | - Luton Town FC | 26/06/1991 |
| Lindon MEIKLE | - Mansfield Town FC | 21/03/1988 |
| Andrew OWENS | - Southport FC | 15/10/1989 |
| Stephen BROGAN | - Stalybridge Celtic FC | 12/04/1988 |
| Jonathan HEDGE (GK) | - Tamworth FC | 19/07/1989 |
| Joshua WILSON | - Vauxhall Motors FC | 05/07/1988 |
| Ashley CHAMBERS | - York City FC | 01/03/1990 |
