Les Parry patches his injury-hit side up and gets on with trying to beat Southend

Nov 24 2009 by Nick Hilton, Liverpool Daily Post

TRANMERE face the prospect of throwing a patched-up side into tonight’s League One encounter with Southend United at Prenton Park after a bug hit the camp.

Three players – midfielders Charlie Barnett, Paul McLaren and Seb Carole – went down with the virus over the weekend and were unable to train yesterday.

Rovers lost another midfielder, Ryan Fraughan because of a family bereavement while there are continuing fitness doubts over right-back Shaleum Logan, centre-back Ian Goodison and the versatile Gareth Edds.

Meanwhile midfielder Alan Mahon and striker Bas Savage continue to be ruled out as long-term casualties.

Parry was able to work with just a dozen fit professionals in training yesterday.

It is hardly ideal preparation for Tranmere as they attempt to climb off the bottom of the League One table. But the long-serving physiotherapist is hoping Goodison (back injury) and Logan (groin) will respond to treatment and that some of those with sick notes can overcome the symptoms in time to play.

“We will just have to work with whoever is available and get on with it,” Parry said.

There is an outside chance that Rovers could capture a new recruit from the loan market in time to take on the Shrimpers.

Parry says he has been given the go-ahead by chairman Peter Johnson to investigate potential loan signings this week.

“We are making inquiries about players,” Parry said. “I had a chat with the chairman and he said we could ask the question of other clubs and see how much players will cost us. Then I’ll get back to him.

“If what the clubs are looking for is acceptable, he may give us the go-ahead. There is a chance of someone being signed in time for the Southend game, which at the moment we desperately need.”

Parry added: “At the moment we don’t have a lot of options. It’s not just the number of injuries but the areas of the team were they are hitting us. You can put up with three players going out if one is a defender, one a midfielder and one an attacker. But it is difficult when you get hit in one area.”

Tranmere could be short of midfielders tonight whereas they were hit hard in the defensive positions when suffering a 2-1 defeat at Leyton Orient last weekend.

Parry said: “At Orient we ended up with a left back, Aaron Cresswell, playing right-back because all of the choices for right-back were ruled out.

“We are not the tallest of teams and when Ian Goodison went off (after 28 minutes) the biggest impact was in the knock down effect of who marked who at set plays.

“Hopefully Ian will be okay to play against Southend and that will help us with the height.”

Parry, in company with chief scout David Philpotts, took the opportunity to check out Southend’s form in a 2-1 win over MK Dons at Roots Hall last Friday.

“They are a big, strong, hard-working side and we would miss Ian Goodison if he did not play,” Parry said.

The caretaker manager believes his players are keen to make amends for a below-par performance in the second half at Brisbane Road, where Rovers suffered their 13th defeat in 17 League One outings.

He said: “The lads were disappointed about Saturday because they knew they could have got something out of the game. It was the performance and not other factors, like refereeing decisions, that impacted on the result.”

It is a subject of frustration yet also encouragement for Parry that seven of the games Rovers have played under his control were tightly contested affairs. Only one of them, at home to Swindon last month, was a heavy defeat.

He said: “I do believe we are not far away from finding a formula that will get as some consistent results.”

Southend will be without defender Anthony Grant, who is starting a two-match match suspension after collecting his 10th booking in 20 games against MK Dons.