Parry eyes triple loan deals to revitalise side

Nov 23 2009 by Nick Hilton, Liverpool Echo

CARETAKER boss Les Parry believes he can “revitalise” struggling Tranmere with a trio of loan signings – if he gets the go-ahead from chairman Peter Johnson to move into the transfer market this week.

A goalscorer and extra defenders are likely to be among the targets Parry has lined up.

The long serving physio believes he cannot afford to put off strengthening the squad, even though he does not know how long he will be in charge of team affairs at Prenton Park, or how close the club are to appointing a permanent successor to John Barnes.

Tranmere dropped to rock bottom of the table after a 13th League One defeat of the season at the hands of Leyton Orient at the weekend.

Parry said: “I have gone ahead and made inquiries about two or three players. If the clubs come back to me and say they are willing to let those players come here, then I will ask the chairman to fund it.

“If we can bring in two or three players by Thursday – and we have three players earmarked - I am sure that you will see a revitalised team.”

Parry has been hesitant about recruiting loan players while he cannot give the managers of other clubs a clear indication of how long he will be picking the team at Prenton Park.

But, he believes some clubs will be willing to help Rovers out – as Liverpool did with goalkeeper David Martin last month.

Parry said: “Anyone we’ve asked has said there won’t be a problem. Premier League clubs want their players to get experience at the best level they can. If we ask the question they are not going to shoot us. They can only say no. So we’ve got to ask the question.”

Rovers have until Thursday of this week to sign a player under the emergency loan system. Otherwise they will have to wait until the opening of the January transfer window. The squad Barnes left behind was overbalanced with attacking and midfield players and the shortage of defenders was exposed at Orient. Shaleum Logan (groin injury) and Gareth Edds (chickenpox) were unavailable. Rovers then lost Ian Goodison with a back injury just before the half-hour. As a consequence, left back Aaron Cresswell had to be deployed right back.

Parry said: “Ian Goodison going off was a massive blow. It’s unfortunate we had to leave Ian on as long as we did. When you have to play players who are struggling it says something about the squad.”

Parry called his players in for training yesterday to prepare for a home game with Southend United tomorrow evening.