Football: Hardiker suspended by Forest Green (From Gazette Series)

Football: Hardiker suspended by Forest Green

11:55am Saturday 7th March 2009 in Sport

JOHN HARDIKER’S Forest Green future is in doubt following his suspension from the club.

Hardiker, 26, was suspended as of Friday, February 27, from attending all matches, training and the club premises for matters which are unrelated to Forest Green.

A club statement said: "In accordance with the rules and regulations of the Football Association Limited and Football Conference Limited, confirmation of this suspension was made in writing and has been formally served on the player and the two governing bodies.

"The club await a formal reply from the player as to the content contained therein and in consequence of those rules and regulations the player has 14 days in which to respond.

"The club will not make further comment on the matter until that requisite time period as passed.”

The Preston-based defender made a dramatic return after more than three months of injury hell by scoring twice against Northwich Victoria last month. Meanwhile, midfielder Jonathan Smith is available after a two-match ban for today’s clash against Oxford United.

Darren Jones has replaced Lee Fowler as captain on a permanent basis. Jones deputised for Fowler against Torquay United and kept the role against Grays Athletic and Stevenage. Les Afful is out for the season with a cruciate knee ligament injury.

Oxford defender Luke Foster and winger Craig Nelthorpe are suspended but full-back Damian Batt has recovered from the knock he suffered against Eastbourne.

Midfielder Simon Clist will not feature against his former side due to a "gentleman's agreement" between the two clubs when his transfer was concluded.

Forest Green: Burton, Gill, Preece, Ayres, Stonehouse, Lawless, Jones, Fowler, Platt, Brown, Mangan, Robinson, Rigoglioso, Smith, Ashford, Mohamed, Lloyd.