Tranmere boss Les Parry is set to name all four of his new signings in the team to play fellow struggler’s Walsall on Saturday.
Vital Quotes:
Tranmere manager Les Parry tells BBC Radio Merseyside:
‘They’ve just lost their manager, so they’ll be dangerous and I’m very aware of that.
‘My lads have got to try to use the sacking as motivation because you can be sure Walsall will be up for it.
‘We’ve got to record back-to-back wins if we’re going to move up the league.’
Tranmere Rovers Team News:
Rovers have been boosted by the arrivals of veteran keeper Tony Warner, defender Mark McChrystal, right-back Michael Kay as well the extension of Lateef Elford-Alliyu’s loan move from West Brom.
Following Gunnar Nielsen’s return to Man City and the Whites experiencing injury problems at full-back, both Warner and Kay are almost certain to be making their debuts. Elford-Alliyu is also thought to have kept his place in the side, whereas McChrystal will compete with Ash Taylor, Marlon Broomes, Ian Goodison and Nick Wood for a place at centre-back.
Tim Cathalina and Sam Morrow are both doubts for the home game, whilst Max Blanchard is sidelined with an ankle injury. The condition of long-term absentee Alan Mahon is unknown.
Player to watch: Tony Warner
With the keeper spot at Rovers changing on a regular basis, all eyes will be on the ex-Premier League stopper who signed on a six-month deal after his release from Scunthorpe in late November.
Faroe Islands international Nielsen, 18-year old Joe Collister and Liverpool’s Peter Gulacsi have all been tested in the Rovers shirt, but Parry has always stated his desire to bring in an experienced pair of hands.
Gulacsi and Nielsen were both prone to errors during their short stays, so fans will be hoping that Warner can offer an air of reassurance between the sticks.
Walsall Team News:
The sacking of boss Chris Hutchins has done nothing to aid the Saddlers preparation for Saturday. But could the sacking be a blessing in disguise given their recent run of form?
Winning only five games all season, they lie eight points adrift at the bottom of League One. Head of youth Dean Smith has been appointed as caretaker manager, with the hope of steadying the ship after a season of turmoil.
Smith will be without Darren Byfield due to injury, but Jimmy Walker and Richard Taundry could make returns to the squad.
Player to watch: Alex Nicholls
Local boy Nicholls has featured regularly in Hutchins team, and has looked sharp playing either up-front or on the wing. With Byfield out someone needs to take initiative in attack. Expect it to be Nicholls.
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