Forest Green's next opponents Woking will be a side with a very different recent history when the two meet next week, following the appointment of their former manager Jermain Defoe as assistant at Bromley. The former Premier League striker, who left Woking in July, is set to join Karl Robinson's coaching staff at the League One strugglers.

Defoe's six-match tenure at Woking ended abruptly four months ago. The club confirmed the mutual termination of his contract with immediate effect after he failed to attend training and informed them he would not return. Woking thanked him for his contribution at the time.

Bromley's new setup

Defoe's move to Bromley comes as the club, bottom of League One and winless in six, seeks to avoid relegation. They have been without a head coach since dismissing Andy Woodman on October 22 after a five-and-a-half year tenure. Woodman expressed his disappointment at the time, saying, "I was pretty disappointed and pretty upset. It felt like I'd been misled, in numerous ways."

Karl Robinson, sacked by Salford City in June, is expected to be appointed as Bromley's new manager, with Defoe and Craig Short joining his backroom team. Defoe brings a storied playing career to the role, having made 496 appearances and scored 163 goals in the Premier League, ranking as Tottenham's seventh-highest all-time scorer.

Forest Green's form

Managerial news at a rival club provides an interesting subplot for Forest Green as they prepare for their trip to the Laithwaite Community Stadium on November 14. Steve Cotterill's side currently sit in the National League standings.

Their recent form shows two wins, two draws and one defeat from the last five, a sequence that includes a 2-2 draw with Harrogate Town and a 2-0 victory over Eastleigh. They now face a Woking side sitting 12th, four points ahead of them in the table. The fixture is a key test for Forest Green as they look to build momentum and close the gap to the top half.

Defoe's swift return to football in a coaching capacity ends a curious chapter for Woking just days before they host Forest Green. The 44-year-old's exit and subsequent move ensures all focus for the home side will be on the pitch for the upcoming clash.

The report in full is at talkSPORT