JAMES Norwood, Forest Green’s all-time leading scorer in the Conference, insists his return to the New Lawn on Saturday is going to be ‘emotional’.

The new Tranmere striker left the New Lawn last summer after a four-year spell which saw him net 50 goals in 165 appearances.

“I've thought about this game since the moment I signed for Tranmere,” said the 25-year-old.

“It will be interesting and emotional as I’m about to do battle with people I’ve known and played with for a long time.”

When Norwood arrives at the changing block he may need directions, such is his familiarity with his old stamping ground.

He added: "It will be foreign to come in and walk left into the away changing rooms instead of the right.”

Norwood’s trademark "look to the skies" goal celebration could be in evidence, but he insists it will all be done in the best possible taste and won’t detract from his respect for a club that helped rebuild his career following his release by Exeter City in 2011.

“I've done the same celebration every time I've scored and it won't change if I score on Saturday, the FGR faithful have seen it more than fifty times, so they know it's not a 'rub it in your face' type routine anyway.

“I loved my time at FGR, it's the club that gave me a chance to give myself a career in the game, and the backing of the chairman, fans and players made it a very special club to play for, it is a club I will hold in my heart for a long time and I owe it a lot.

“To leave as the all-time top goalscorer is my most impressive achievement to date, even though I was playing out of position. I can remember my first and also my last goal, so it's very special and hopefully the fans remember me for more than my goals.”

Norwood viewed his final season at Rovers as a frustrating one and pointed to red card at Halifax as a pivotal moment.

He said: “Last season was frustrating at times, but it was always going to be. I think the turning point was the game away at Halifax when I was sent off and because of my view on signing a new deal I think I found chances hard to come by, but I still managed to score a few more before I bowed out.”

Norwood is relishing his fresh start on Merseyside.

“I love it at Tranmere, it has all the same values as FGR and has a massive fan base and, again, it's a club pushing for promotion.”

Norwood hopes his new side will be in the mix for an automatic return to League Two, but he believes the season could go down to the wire.

“FGR are flying and Cheltenham are hot on their heels and we're not far off either. I think you'd be silly to count anyone out at this point. It would be nice for it to go down to the last day, but I don't think the fans would want that.”