JIM HARVEY is preparing for a legal battle to get compensation from Forest Green after being told he faces the sack for allegedly speaking to Cambridge chairman George Rolls about the manager’s position there.

The popular boss was seen driving away from the New Lawn ahead of their 2-0 friendly win over a Leeds United XI on Wednesday night and the 51-year-old did not appear in the official team photo before kick-off.

Rookie assistant manager David Brown looks set to take charge of the first Blue Square Premier game of the season against Kettering on Saturday (3pm) with goalkeeping coach Mick Byrne directing the team from the dugout.

Harvey had been called to a meeting with chairman Trevor Horsley last Wednesday afternoon.

The Gazette understands that despite Horsley giving Harvey permission to speak to Aldershot, Stevenage and Oxford in the last two years, he told him he was firing him after allegedly hearing from the Abbey that Harvey had spoken to Rolls after Gary Brabin was axed last month.

Martin Ling was appointed but has since resigned as Cambridge United manager just nine days into the job.

When contacted by the Gazette, the ex-Northern Ireland assistant - in the final year of his three-year contract - said: “I can’t comment. The situation is in the hands of my solicitor.”

Forest Green club secretary Colin Peake stated: “There’s no statement to make at the minute.”

Harvey was relishing the challenge ahead despite having his budget slashed and losing senior players Darren Jones, Lee Fowler, Alex Lawless and Golden Boot winner Andy Mangan.

He was Rovers’ eighth manager in six years, replacing Gary Owers six winless games into the 2006-07 season.

He led them to safety, then reached eighth in 2007-08 - Rovers’ highest ever spot - and the FA Cup second round, before running Derby close in the third round last season.

Harvey also made around £200,000 through the sales of Stuart Fleetwood, Mark Beesley and Simon Clist.

Former assistant manager Jerry Gill is the frontrunner to become the new Forest Green boss.