Sources: Forest Green Rovers make decision on signing ex-Rangers star Josh McPake after trial ends
Forest Green Rovers have opted against offering deals to former Rangers winger Josh McPake and Fulham defender Jay Williams after having them on trial, sources have told Football Insider.
McPake, 22, has been without a club since leaving Rangers in September last year, while Williams is in the final six months of his contract at Fulham.
The duo linked up with Troy Deeney’s Forest Green for training last week, but the League Two strugglers will not be taking their interest any further after assessing the pair.
Deeney’s side are in desperate need of reinforcements this month as they face relegation out of the EFL – seven years after promotion from the National League in 2017.
McPake last played for Rangers’ reserve side earlier this season, making two substitute appearances in the Scottish League Challenge Cup and notching the winner against Stenhousemuir.
He has already had trials at Hamilton Academical and Greenock Morton this season but both sides also declined to sign the winger on a permanent basis.
The 22-year-old notched four goals and three assists across 33 appearances in all competitions in the 2022-23 campaign while on loan with Scottish Championship side Queen’s Park.
Meanwhile, Williams has played four times for Fulham’s Under-21 side this term – scoring once.
The 20-year-old, who made his debut for Wales’ Under-21 side last year (2023), has been a regular for the Cottagers at youth level but is yet to make a senior club appearance.
He is primarily a centre-back but can also play at right-back and in defensive midfield.
Deeney’s Forest Green side are bottom of League Two on 18 points and are already seven points from safety after 26 games.
The Gloucestershire side are next in league action against Mansfield on Tuesday (16 January).
In other news, League Two ace undergoing Charlton medical today.