Leeds United extend stay of Rachubka at Tranmere

Jan 4 2012 Liverpool Daily Post

LEEDS UNITED have agreed to extend Paul Rachubka’s loan to Tranmere until the end of January.

The arrangement gives the American-born goalkeeper the opportunity to double his five appearances for Rovers since he arrived to cover the absence of the injured Owain Fon Williams last month.

The experienced Rachubka earned man of the match accolades for his performance in Tranmere’s 2-1 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday this week.

Now he will be available for games against Brentford (home) on Saturday, the trip to Yeovil Town on Saturday, January 14, the rearranged home game with Rochdale on Tuesday, January 17, the visit to Bournemouth on Saturday, January 21 and the home game against Huddersfield on Saturday, January 28.

Tranmere hope Fon Williams should be ready for a return to action by that time as he recovers from a broken hand.

Fon Williams had the wires taken out of the hand last week and manager Les Parry reckons it will be next week at the earliest before the Welshman can attempt to handle the ball in training.

Jose Baxter’s short-term loan from Everton reaches the end of its third month after the Brentford game.

If Tranmere want to extend the talented teenager’s stay at Prenton Park further, they will have to negotiate a long-term arrangement with Everton, running to the end of the season.

Parry said he would be talking to Everton counterpart David Moyes this week “to see what is best for both of us and Jose”.

Some of Tranmere’s injury worries eased over the holiday but midfielder Andy Robinson missed the Sheffield Wednesday game because of food poisoning and striker Enoch Showunmi remains sidelined with a leg injury.

Dave Buchanan insists Tranmere have every reason to take encouragement from their thrilling new year holiday defeat at Sheffield Wednesday.

Rovers dropped to 16th place in the League One table after the game, played in front of a 24,000 crowd at Hillsborough.

But their performance in fighting back after going 2-0 down in seven minutes to the second placed Owls showed spirit and resilience, full-back Buchanan argued, and Ian Goodison’s 82nd minute header set up a tense finish.

Buchanan said: “I thought we showed unbelievable character because it was all one-way traffic in the second half. All you can do is your best and in the second half we threw the kitchen sink at Sheffield Wednesday.

“But you’ve got to look at the first half performance as well because that was unacceptable for all of us.

“We’ve got to get back on to the training ground, get refreshed and kick on again.”

Buchanan admitted Tranmere’s game plan had to be thrown out after a shocking start in which Reda Johnson and Chris Lines plundered early goals for the home side.

It could have been worse as Rachubka produced a succession of outstanding saves to prevent the Owls running riot.

“We knew what to expect,” Buchanan said. “We prepared to not give silly set pieces away and after 30 seconds we gave away a silly free-kick on the edge of the box and were 1-0 down.

“Then the crowd got behind them and they put pressure on us. We didn’t react, didn’t regroup and before we knew it we were 2-0 down.

“When we got in at half-time the gaffer said a few words and we knew that if we could hang in there and get a goal, the crowd could turn on them.

“Our fans were different class. Even when we were losing the game they still got behind us. That’s important. It gives you confidence.”

Meanwhile, the Town End section of the Main Stand at Prenton Park will be closed for Tranmere’s League One encounter with Brentford on Saturday.

The same section of the stand was closed for the December 30 game against Bury after high winds damaged part of the roof on Boxing Day, causing the postponement of the holiday fixture against Rochdale.

Tranmere will be contacting Town End Main Stand season-ticket holders with advice about watching the game from alternative areas of the ground.

Chief executive Mick Horton said: “We apologise to the affected supporters and hope they understand these are unusual circumstances.”

Season ticket holders in the centre and Bebington end of the Main Stand are not affected.