FOREST Green Rovers' bid for Conference survival has been boosted by the surprise signing of former Sheffield Wednesday and Blackburn Rovers star Paul Warhurst.

The veteran former Premiership star, who has endured a nomadic career over the past few years, was unveiled at The Lawn prior to Saturday's home clash with Tamworth.

Warhurst, 35, was selected for two England squads by Graham Taylor in the early 1990s, but tragically pulled out of both due to injury - an affliction that was to haunt him throughout his career.

A renowned utility player who can operate as a centre back, centre forward or sweeper, he commanded a fee of #2.7million when big-spending Blackburn prised him away from Wednesday in 1993 at the height of the Jack Walker era.

His arrival at Forest Green came on the same day that Rovers boss Alan Lewer also secured the services of Bristol Rovers starlet Lewis Haldane, who will be on loan until the end of the season.

The rookie striker, 19, is said to have a big future at the Memorial Stadium and his signing was another surprise for Rovers fans, who must surely now fancy their side's chances of survival as Lewer presides over a large playing squad that is blessed with experience, raw talent and battle-hardened spirit.

But it was the signing of Warhurst, who will remain at The Lawn until the end of the season provisionally, that raised most eyebrows, with the move carrying echoes of the club's successful recruitment of former Aston Villa and England star Tony Daley in 2000.

Warhurst's career began at Manchester City in the late 1980s before he was to become a major part of the successful Oldham Athletic side of the late 1980s and early 1990s under the tutelage of Joe Royle. A big #750,000 move to Sheffield Wednesday followed in 1991, where Warhurst was successfully transformed from a centre back into a goalscoring striker as Wednesday stormed the old First Division, finishing in third place.

The move to eventual Premiership champions Blackburn soon followed as Warhurst lined up alongside Alan Shearer, Chris Sutton and David Batty in the most expensive line-up of its day.

Injuries severely blighted his top flight career, and Warhurst moved to Crystal Palace in 1997 before becoming a major force behind the recent Bolton Wanderers revival when he signed for Sam Allardyce's side in 1999.

Having helped Wanderers become an established Premiership force, the utility player then became something of a journeyman as he drifted between a host of lower league clubs as he struggled to retain his best form. Leaving the Reebok Stadium in 2003, Warhurst had spells at Stoke City, Chesterfield, Barnsley, Carlisle United, Grimsby Town and Blackpool before being released by the Tangerines last month.

Having appeared in three major Wembley cup finals, he certainly has a lot of pedigree and represents a fine coup for manager Lewer.