Squad will be strengthened, says Rovers boss Parry

Jan 6 2012 Liverpool Daily Post

TRANMERE aim to strengthen the playing squad and improve their League One position as they move into the second half of the campaign with a home game against Brentford tomorrow.

Manager Les Parry is looking to add a couple of loan signings to his selection options before the close of the January transfer window and will be asking Everton counterpart David Moyes about extending José Baxter’s loan into a fourth month.

The talented 19-year-old attacker, who has been at Prenton Park since the end of September, is on a youth loan, which provides greater flexibility than conventional emergency loans.

Parry makes no secret of his wish to sign a striker to improve Rovers’ modest goalscoring record and missed out last week when target Jake Jarvis of Birmingham City made a temporary move to Preston.

Baxter’s current loan arrangement runs out after the Brentford game and Parry says he is “not counting any chickens” that an extension will be waved through from Goodison.

Parry added: “We have got calls in at the moment to four Premier League clubs about players. We are looking to strengthen, to bring a little spring into the place with a new face or two.

“It does not matter how well you’re doing, a fresh face always lifts the place. Even teams at the top of the division realise that. They are constantly bringing in loan players as well.”

Tranmere used up some of the budget for loan players by extending the stay of Leeds United goalkeeper Paul Rachubka into a second month this week. American-born Rachubka is covering for the absence of Tranmere’s regular number one Owain Fon Williams, who is recovering from a broken hand.

Parry said: “Some loan players are need to have, some are nice to have. Paul is a need to have. It means we’re not worrying about pushing Fonners back in before he is ready.”

Tranmere reached the midway point of the campaign with 29 points on the board, which puts them on target to better last season’s comfortable finish on 56 points.

But it is not the position Rovers were hoping to be in after taking 25 points from the first 15 games.

The last eight games have yielded just four points, from a draw against Colchester in early November and the December 30 victory over Bury at Prenton Park.

The 2-0 win over the Shakers ended a wait of more than two months for a victory and if a defeat in the New Year holiday game at second placed Sheffield Wednesday was predictable, the manner of the 2-1 reverse was anything but.

Tranmere, 2-0 down in seven minutes, could have been further behind before the interval but stunned a 24,000 strong Yorkshire crowd by putting the Owls on the back foot during the second half and halved the deficit through Ian Goodison’s 82nd-minute goal.

Parry said: “We have got to take the positives out of the Sheffield Wednesday game and forget about the first 15 minutes.

“I spoke to (Sheffield Wednesday manager) Gary Megson later in the week and he said they were mightily relieved to hear the final whistle. We showed a lot of character in the second half.”

Goodison aggravated a hamstring injury at Hillsborough and could be a doubtful starter tomorrow.

Parry also has to check on the condition of two players who suffered illnesses during the New Year period.

Winger Martin Devaney was laid low by chickenpox and Andy Robinson had food poisoning.

Parry said: “I’ve always thought that illnesses can take more out of players the injuries.”

Brentford’s line-up is likely to include Everton academy graduate Jake Bidwell.

Defender Bidwell is due to return to Goodison after making his sixth Bees appearance against Rovers and manager Uwe Rosler is keen to keep him.

Brentford currently stand three points outside the play-off zone.

They have been more impressive on the road (five wins, four draws and two defeats) than at home (four wins, four draws and five defeats).

Tranmere won 2-0 at Griffin Park at the end of August.