Mangan was last season's top scorer in the Blue Square Premier

Forest Green boss Dave Hockaday says Andy Mangan will be in his plans when his five-month ban ends this month.

The striker, 23, who was suspended for betting on a match involving his team at the time Bury, is yet to play under Hockaday who took over in September.

"Andy is not quite match fit yet, but we cannot wait to get him back," Hockaday told BBC Gloucestershire.

"The one thing that we need is somebody like him in and around the box putting the ball in the back of the net."

Mangan is suspended until 21 December and Rovers have organised a County Cup tie the day after to try and get him involved as quickly as possible.

We need people like Andy in our team to be scoring goals Dave Hockaday

He struck up a formidable partnership in the second half of the 2008-09 season with David Brown, scoring 26 goals and finishing as the top scorer in the Blue Square Premier.

And Hockaday is confident Mangan - who Rovers admit is attracting interest from other clubs with the transfer window looming - can pick up where he left off.

"As soon as he is available he'll be chomping at the bit to get in the team, he'll be selected and he'll start scoring goals for Forest Green," he said.

"What happens after that takes care of itself, but we need people like Andy in our team to be scoring goals."

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