Tranmere Rovers’ John Barnes to step up his search for new recruits

Jul 16 2009 by Nick Hilton, Liverpool Daily Post

TRANMERE manager John Barnes stepped up the search for new recruits last night after Andy Taylor completed a move to Sheffield United.

The 22-year-old joined the Blades for an undisclosed fee. Some of the revenue from the sale is likely to be allocated to help Barnes strengthen the Rovers squad for the League One campaign that starts in just over three weeks time.

The former Liverpool and England winger is looking to add a goalkeeper, a right-back and a centre-back to a group of 15 players currently signed on professional forms.

Barnes said: “It was a good offer from Sheffield United and we decided to allow Andy the chance to move to a higher level.

“We’re still looking to add to our squad ahead of the season and are talking to a number of clubs about loan and permanent deals.

“I’d like to wish Andy all the best for his future career.”

Barnes says he hopes to have a goalkeeper signed by the time Tranmere play Championship side Preston North End in a pre-season friendly at Prenton Park on Saturday.

The move to a Championship club keeps Taylor on course in the career journey he mapped out for himself just over 18 months ago.

Taylor says he decided to cut his ties to home-town club Blackburn in January 2008 because he saw little prospect of breaking into the Premier League side at Ewood Park after four seasons of youth and reserve team football.

He added: “When I left Blackburn, I could have gone to Preston or Blackpool but chose Tranmere in order to get games and, hopefully, progress well enough to go back up the divisions.

“Sheffield United is a massive club, a great opportunity, and to be honest as soon as I heard of their interest and the chance to come here and speak I had no hesitation. It was an easy decision to sign.

“I really enjoyed my time at Tranmere but this move was a great opportunity for me.”

Taylor signed a three-year contract with the Blades and believes he has the chance to make a first-team spot his own while Gary Naysmith is sidelined until the turn of the year.

Taylor said: “I know Gary is a very good player with a lot of Premiership experience but I have believed in my own ability. If the manager gives me a role in the team I am confident I can stay there.”

Meanwhile former Tranmere goalkeeper Danny Coyne had signalled his intention to claim a regular first-team spot at his new club Middlesbrough.

Coyne completed a free transfer from Rovers at the start of last week, and is hoping to make his first Boro appearance in Saturday’s pre-season friendly at Macclesfield Town.

Brad Jones remains the man blocking Coyne’s route to the first team. But while Boro’s number one from last season is expected to start next month’s opening Championship game against Sheffield United, Coyne is determined to make life difficult for him.

“It’s not hard to remain hungry,” said the Wales international, who picked up a golden gloves award as League One’s leading goalkeeper last season. “You get that competitive streak in you and you keep it.

“I’m very hungry, especially when you come to a club like this. I want to break into the team. I want as much action as I can get. I’m not here to sit on the bench and be happy to do that – I want to push the lads as hard as I can.”

Boro manager Gareth Southgate said: “Danny is the type of person we want in this football club – still hungry and still wanting to push for that position as number one. He’s definitely capable of becoming that.”