Tranmere Rovers: Ryan Brunt pushing for a starting place

Feb 9 2012 by Nick Hilton, The Liverpool Post

RYAN BRUNT could be pushing himself closer to a first-team start with Tranmere as they prepare to take on Preston North End at Prenton Park this weekend.

The 18-year-old striker, on a month’s loan from Stoke City, made his second substitute appearance for Rovers in the 2-1 defeat at Wycombe Wanderers last Saturday.

Brunt’s half-hour run-out provided encouragement for manager Les Parry, who remains short of striking options while Enoch Showunmi battles a leg injury.

Parry said: “Ryan held the ball up well, had a couple of chances and will probably be disappointed he did not take one of them. But I think he showed he can do something for us.”

Showunmi is still dogged by a series of problems relating to the leg fracture he sustained last April. Parry said: “Enoch has been doing some running and is still getting some shin pain. So we have had to pull him back a bit.”

Full-back David Raven underwent a successful double hernia operation last week but is four to six weeks away from making a comeback.

One plus point for Tranmere at Adams Park was the performance of goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams. The Welshman showed no ill effects from a broken hand that kept him out of action for the past two-and-a-half months.

“I thought Fonners did fantastically well,” said Parry.

Parry remains on the lookout for an experienced front man in the loan market.