FOREST GREEN boss Mark Cooper wants giant French goalkeeper Simon Lefebvre to make it a three-way fight for the number one spot.

Standing at six feet and eight inches, Lefebvre, 19, arrives on a two-year contract, after five years of development in his homeland with Ligue One side Girondins de Bordeaux.

He made his first appearance between the sticks for Forest Green in their 3-2 victory at Slimbridge on Monday evening.

And Cooper insists the giant shot-stopper will challenge Sam Russell and Jonny Maxted for the number one spot.

Cooper said: “I saw him play twice, once for Birmingham, and once for Kidderminster. He went away with Birmingham under 21s with my son and did very well apparently.

“They’ve decided not to take him for some reason and we were looking for a third goalkeeper, so it was too good an opportunity to turn down.

“He’s big at 6ft 8ins, very good with his feet, and good with his hands as well. He’s a very interesting signing for us.

“For training it is important to have three keepers because if one goalkeeper is playing then we need another two for when we play small- sided games.

“He’s going to push the two other boys for a spot in the team.”

Meanwhile, midfielder Drissa Traore has been handed a boost with news that the injury he picked up during the game against Birmingham City is not as serious as first feared.

Traore was carried off after Clayton Donaldson fouled the former Swindon Town player in the first half of Rovers’ pre-season friendly with the Championship outfit.

The Ivorian travelled with the squad to Portugal, and subsequent scans have shown that the injury is not serious as expected.

Cooper said: “Drissa is going to be ok and will be back training this week - we got away with that one - and we are really pleased.”

Rovers also play back-to-back games on Friday at Nailsworth rivals Shortwood United and 24 hours later at home to League Two outfit Newport, who will include former Forest Green striker Jon Parkin and Sean Rigg and Jamie Turley.

Rovers finish their pre-season schedule at Swindon Supermarine on August 2 before starting the new season at Boreham Wood on August 6.