THE trademark beaming grin is back but Emmanuel Osadebe cannot expect a moment’s peace in the Forest Green survival bid.

The midfielder returns to Valley Parade tomorrow having scored three times in 10 appearances since his January move – one more goal than he managed in an injury-hit 18 months with the Bantams.

The latest of those came in Forest Green’s crucial win over in-form Walsall – Osadebe’s follow-up finish against another of his former clubs after Christian Doidge hit the post setting Rovers on the way to a third win in six games.

That has cut the gap to safety to two points and given Steve Cotterill’s men a real fighting chance of staying in League Two.

 

 

Cotterill has been getting a tune out of Osadebe – but won’t be letting up in demanding more from him.

“He’s very athletic,” the Forest Green boss told the club website. “Sometimes he needs to pass the ball when he runs with it.

“I’ve been tough on him since he’s come in and I’ll have to make sure I maintain it now."

Osadebe is happy to have Cotterill setting a high bar for himself and a team who had gone 15 games without winning before their recent revival.

He said: “When I first came in, the team wasn’t on form.

“But the gaffer has come in and created an environment where the demands are high and we have to meet them. That’s the bottom line.

“He’s been great for everyone. We have to do everything we can to win every game between now and the end of the season – and we believe we can.”

Osadebe’s contribution has become even more crucial with Forest Green losing top scorer Matty Stevens to another injury.

The striker suffered his latest setback when he broke down in the warm-up before last month’s win over Tranmere. Cotterill fears he will be gone for the season.

Osadebe, who has also netted against high-flying Wrexham and Barrow, has stepped up in his absence as a support for front man Doidge.

Osadebe added: “Doidgey has been brilliant since he’s been here. He does so much work off the ball.

“He’s really good on the ball and I love playing with him.

“He’s top class, a proper pro and gets the best out of everyone around him.”