FOREST Green gaffer David Hockaday is set to make an offer for star striker Matthew Barnes-Homer.

The burly 27-year-old pitched up as an easily recognisable, but unnamed trialist at the New Lawn on Monday evening against Gary Johnson’s Championship outfit Yeovil Town, and the former Macclesfield forward helped himself to a second-half goal after coming on as a first-half substitute for an unwell James Norwood.

With Ben Wright departing to Conference rivals Salisbury last week, a striking spot is free and Hockaday is a well-known admirer of the former Luton Town forward.

With a raft of injuries, Rovers’ boss is acutely aware of the need to strengthen his threadbare squad ahead of his side’s Skrill Premier opener against Hyde at the New Lawn a week on Saturday.

Hockaday said: "We’ve had a few knocks and niggles and we’re always looking to improve and we’ve looked at another centre-half and a striker.

"We will look at the DVD against Yeovil Town and have some conversations and see where we are."

The SNJ understands that Macclesfield have tabled a new deal, but the out-of-contract striker is exploring his options.

He started his career as a youth player at Wolves, where he spent three years. He went on to have short spells at three clubs in the lower leagues of the United States of America football pyramid during 2004, before returning to England with Aldershot Town.

He then played for various non-league clubs in his local West Midlands region between 2005 and 2007 until League Two side Wycombe Wanderers signed him on a short-term contract in March 2007. He was released shortly afterwards, where he joined Conference National side Kidderminster Harriers.

After a lean first season at the club, Barnes-Homer established himself as top scorer in the next campaign with 21 goals, averaging almost one goal for every two games.

A similar goal return during 2009–10 prompted interest from Luton Town, who signed him in January 2010. He finished the 2010–11 season as Luton's top scorer with 19 goals. He left Luton in early 2012, going on to spend four months at Swedish side Östersunds FK, before returning to the Conference with Macclesfield Town, where he scored 18 goals last season. 

ROVERS travel to Calor Gas Southern League Division One South & West side Cirencester Town on Wednesday, 7.45pm.

Hockaday’s side complete their pre-season campaign at Skrill South side Weston-super-Mare on Saturday, 3pm.