Forest Green Rovers have recalled José Márquez from Worthing after a productive loan spell, with the 20-year-old now facing an immediate opportunity to lead the attack at Sutton United.
Márquez returned to The New Lawn on Sunday night after scoring three goals in Worthing’s last five league matches. His final goal for the National League side came late in Saturday’s 3-1 victory at Hartlepool United, giving the young striker a confidence-boosting finish to his temporary spell away from Forest Green.
His return has come at a particularly difficult moment for Rovers. Robbie Savage has confirmed that Bristol Rovers loanee Mees Rijks suffered an injury during training this week and is expected to be sidelined for around a month. Rijks is currently on crutches, leaving Márquez as Forest Green’s only recognised striker available ahead of the weekend.
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. The combination of injuries and international absences has significantly reduced Forest Green’s attacking options before the visit to Sutton.
A rapid return from Worthing
Márquez said the recall was confirmed quickly after Forest Green’s squad had been given Monday off. He had taken his boots home, only to receive a message on Sunday night telling him he was needed back.
“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.”
Although the timing was sudden, Márquez said he had considered that a return might become possible. He pointed to the knee injuries within the squad, concerns about the forward line’s goalscoring and his own form for Worthing as reasons he thought Forest Green might call him back.
“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.”
The loan spell gave Márquez the regular playing time he had been seeking. He said Worthing was a well-run club where he enjoyed his football, settled in with his team-mates and was able to play meaningful minutes in the National League.
“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.”
For Márquez, the central purpose of the move was to play regularly after finding opportunities limited at Forest Green. The chance to compete in the National League was one he felt unable to reject, and his three goals have provided evidence that he can contribute at that level.
“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.”
Growing belief in front of goal
The striker believes his performances at Worthing have changed his outlook. He said the loan allowed him to prove to himself and to Forest Green that he can score at this level, and he now wants to transfer that form to his parent club.
“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.”
Márquez also acknowledged that his confidence is markedly different from last season. When he was coming off the bench, he was unsure whether he was ready for the level required. His recent run of goals has given him a stronger belief that he can perform and score for Rovers.
“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.”
That confidence will be tested quickly. Márquez described training as intense and said Rijks’ injury was unfortunate, but he is ready for the responsibility of being the available senior striking option at Sutton.
“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 expects Forest Green’s quality in attack to create opportunities. Márquez said he is confident the players around him can supply chances and that he can finish them.
“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.”
Rovers target momentum at Sutton
Forest Green’s next opponents include several players Márquez respects. He singled out Sutton’s quality and noted the presence of Jordan Moore-Taylor, a familiar face from last season, while understanding that the former Rovers player is injured.
“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.”
The match is part of a demanding period for Forest Green. Márquez referred to a three-game week involving a Tuesday fixture, the Saturday trip to Sutton and the following Saturday’s game against Scunthorpe.
With the table tightly packed, he believes a short winning run could quickly alter Rovers’ position and bring them into the play-off places.
“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 injury situation also gives Márquez a chance to establish himself. While he is currently the only recognised striker available, he stressed that the opportunity still has to be earned, with every player competing hard for a place in the starting line-up.
“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.”
He said the squad remains hungry despite the disruption, with players battling in training for one of the available places.
“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.”
What Márquez can offer
Looking back on his Worthing spell, Márquez said his goals came quickly and helped him make an impact even when he began matches on the bench. He felt confident he would get an opportunity to influence games and was able to take advantage when it arrived.
“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 now wants to become the type of penalty-area striker Forest Green have been missing. Márquez believes his movement and instincts can help him find chances in and around the box.
“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.”
“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.”
Forest Green face Sutton United on Saturday, with Márquez set to have the chance to turn his strong Worthing form into an immediate contribution for Rovers.