Forest Green Rovers defender Kelvin Abrefa has confirmed that a decision on his future will not be made until his loan spell from Reading reaches its conclusion in December.
The right-sided defender said he is focused on performing for Forest Green rather than looking too far ahead. His comments came after he helped Rovers to a 2-0 victory over Eastleigh, setting up Will Grigg for the opening goal.
Abrefa keeping his options open
Abrefa was asked whether he could remain at Forest Green beyond December or return to Reading. Speaking to BBC Radio Gloucestershire’s Billy Hunt, he said: “I’m just taking it game by game, you know, just focusing on what’s to come next.
“So, when my loan is done, we’ll sit down and have a chat with who I need to speak to and then we’ll reevaluate and see where we go from there.”
The defender also confirmed that Reading are monitoring his progress while he is with the Gloucestershire club.
“Yeah, they keep an eye on me and I keep in contact and they do as well,” he said.
That leaves Abrefa’s longer-term position unresolved, although his early performances have made him an important part of Forest Green’s side. His current agreement is due to expire in December, when discussions about the next step are expected to take place.
Positive start at Forest Green
Abrefa said he had quickly settled into the Forest Green dressing room after arriving from Reading. He described his team-mates as welcoming and said he was enjoying life at the club.
“The lads are great,” he said. “The changing room, since I’ve come, they made me feel so welcome and, yeah, I’m always smiling around the place and always talkative.
“I’m very happy there and, yeah, hopefully we can just build on a good group and we can go on a long run and hopefully get the club where it belongs.”
His display against Eastleigh highlighted the attacking qualities Forest Green will hope to retain. Abrefa’s pace and trickery on the right created problems for the visitors, before his delivery allowed Grigg to score his first league goal for Rovers.
The performance also prompted comparisons with Kane Wilson, a former Forest Green League Two title winner who was known for his attacking threat from a similar position.
Training-ground work pays off
Abrefa said the assist had been developed through work on the training pitch and better communication with experienced striker Grigg. Understanding where Grigg would position himself in the penalty area helped the pair produce the opening goal.
“We’ve been working on it in training,” he explained. “Now I know where he’ll be in the box and stuff like that. So it’s just something to build on and keep pushing.”
The victory was especially valuable after Forest Green’s fixture against Barrow was abandoned. The team had played only 14 minutes before that match was called off, leaving the squad looking for a response.
Abrefa said the players wanted a performance that delivered more than encouraging play, with the result, goals and clean sheet all important after earlier matches had not always produced the points they believed they deserved.
“We’ve been banging on about a good performance and something to show for it as well with three points, goals and a clean sheet,” he said. “That’s what the boys needed and hopefully we can build on that and keep going.”
For now, Abrefa’s attention remains on Forest Green’s next matches. The question of whether he will stay beyond December will be revisited when his loan period ends.