Sam Morrow hands Rovers early season lift

Sep 1 2010 by Our Correspondent, Birkenhead News

MANAGER Les Parry hopes the arrival of Sam Morrow can give Tranmere a lift as they cope with a difficult start to the new season at Prenton Park

Striker Morrow signed a contract this week after a short trial period confirmed the promise Parry sees in the 25-year-old from Northern Ireland.

Rovers paid Coleraine a nominal fee for a player Parry believes is worthy of a second chance to build a professional career in England.

“I’m delighted to bring Sam to the club as I have been following him for a while,” Parry said.

“He is a classy striker who knows where the goal is. He has a good attitude and is keen to do well. I think he is a great addition to our squad.”

Morrow spent several seasons with Ipswich Town as a youngster but could not make the breakthrough into regular first-team football at Portman Road.

He made just one senior appearance before moving north of the border to Hibernian.

The youngster did better in Scotland, playing 40 games for Hibs and a further 19 in loan spells at Livingston and Partick Thistle. He spent two seasons back on home turf with Derry City, scoring 14 goals in 44 games, prior to a brief move to Coleraine at the end of last season.

Parry went to Ireland just before the start of the season to check on Morrow for himself.

Tranmere’s problems with injuries were already becoming disrupted by that stage with three players, Alan Mahon, Ash Taylor and Marlon Broomes, becoming long-term casualties.

The injury situation became even worse last weekend.

Centre back Nick Wood, a summer recruit who had been released by Sheffield Wednesday, picked up an ankle knock in training the day before the 2-2 draw at Dagenham and Redbridge.

Experienced midfielder Paul McLaren suffered a groin strain in the warm up at Victoria Road.