Parry plans are in safe keeping

Nov 10 2009 by Nick Hilton, Liverpool Echo

TRANMERE have taken the "sensible" course of action to ensure the future options of Liverpool goalkeeper David Martin remain open, says caretaker boss Les Parry.

Martin, a first-team regular since he began a month's loan with Rovers in October, was kept out of the selection frame for the FA Cup first-round tie against Leyton Orient last weekend.

Luke Daniels reclaimed the gloves for the 1-1 draw at Prenton Park.

Parry explained that Liverpool were prepared to allow Martin to play against Orient, but asked Tranmere to consider the implications of the 23-year-old becoming cup tied.

"We had a discussion with Liverpool," Parry said. "Liverpool kindly said that we could play David if we wanted to but if we were not going to extend the loan, could we look at it sensibly.

"And looking at it sensibly, if we had sent David back to Liverpool next week cup tied, we would have limited his chances of going out on loan again."

Tranmere were in a position to leave Martin out because Daniels, whose suspension last month caused them to seek an experienced goalkeeper on loan, is available once more.

Parry added: "If we had not had Luke available we would have pressed on and played David. I had a chat with both goalkeepers and it wasn't a hard decision. We had to think of David himself and Liverpool's position as well."

Martin has one more Rovers game to play, the League One fixture at Norwich City on Saturday, before his loan spell comes to an end.

He has yet to make a first-team appearance at Liverpool but has stacked up more than 50 games in loan spells with MK Dons, Accrington Stanley, Leicester City and Tranmere.

Daniels is also on a temporary assignment at Prenton Park. The 21-year-old joined on a season-long loan from West Bromwich Albion in the summer and Parry said: We've got every confidence in Luke."

Tranmere's former international players Alan Mahon and Michael Ricketts are beginning to reap the benefits of knuckling down to a tougher training regime at Prenton Park, says Parry.

Irish midfielder Mahon made his first start in five games under Parry in the 1-1 draw with Orient last Saturday.

Parry is now into his fifth week in temporary charge of team affairs while chairman Peter Johnson and the board of directors continue to look for a long-term successor to John Barnes.

The FA Cup second round draw has given Tranmere the prospect of a home tie with Aldershot later this month but Parry is not looking beyond Saturday's League One trip to Norwich City, which full-back Shaleum Logan will miss through suspension.