CARL Winchester believes Forest Green may surprise people this season.

The midfielder, who joined from rivals Cheltenham Town earlier this summer, feels Rovers have plenty of quality after a busy summer of recruitment.

Winchester is ambitious both as an individual and as part of the club and he doesn't want to rule out a Rovers push for the play-offs.

"Each season I set myself targets, see how many goals I can score, assists and how many games I want to play," he said.

“I think we can be right up there pushing for play-offs, we’ve got good experience and a few youthful lads in the team. There’s players with international caps as well so I don’t see why we can’t be up there.

"From pre-season and training with the lads every day I think we can give it a go this season. we’ve only lost one game this pre-season and that was against a good Leeds United team so we can take a lot of positives from the games and hopefully we can push for the play-offs."

The former Oldham Athletic man has been playing alongside Lloyd James and Reece Brown in Rovers warm-up games and Winchester feels his midfield partners have helped his game while he's also enjoyed the freedom given to him by manager Mark Cooper.

“Them two (James and Brown) make it a lot easier for me because they’re really good players," said Winchester.

"I’ve felt we’ve done well in the games and controlled the midfield like the gaffer wants us to do. We’ve knocked the ball about nicely, but I think we need to create more chances, especially myself. I want to get more assists and goals this season.”

“The manager gives all the lads license even, the full backs to express themselves but the way he plays football suits me a lot and I’m enjoying it. The way we play gets the best out of me so I’m hoping I can excite the fans and help my team during the season."

FGR take on Grimsby Town in their opening game tomorrow and the 25-year-old is expecting a difficult game at Blundell Park

"It will be a tough game, they’ve signed a few decent players," he commented. "Every games tough in this league anyone can beat anyone on their day but with the type of players we have we can hurt teams and I think we’ll do well this season."

"Everyone’s just itching to get started. It’s good to get preseason and get the fitness but once that finishes everyone’s looking forward to Saturday and raring to go."