Tranmere Rovers go into this weekend’s game against Ipswich Town with some confidence, having picked up four points from the previous two league outings.
It was an impressive late turnaround last week, as Rovers came from 1-0 down, with the 90-minute mark having passed, to beat Burton Albion 2-1 at Prenton Park, following a similar comeback result to pick up a point against Peterborough United.
Those results are extremely positive, showing the team’s durability, work-rate, desire and determination to keep going right until the bitter end.
Last Saturday’s win was tainted by yet more injuries, however, with centre-back George Ray having to be withdrawn at half time with a knock after midfielder David Perkins had already limped off with a hamstring injury. It’s doubtful that he’ll be available for the weekend, but we’ll have to wait and see.
We saw Liam Ridehalgh operate as part of the central back three last week, before switching to right-back to end the game, so it will be interesting to see which system boss Micky Mellon goes with for this one.
All the defensive injury woes are all the more worrying when we know exactly who we’re coming up against on Saturday, with ex-Tranmere striker James Norwood now leading the line for The Tractor Boys. The positive is that we know all about the threat he offers, so hopefully that knowledge can help the Rovers rearguard.
Ipswich are one of the favourites for promotion back into the Championship, after their relegation last season, and are currently unbeaten and sitting on the top of the pile in League One.
It’s undoubtedly going to be a tough test going to Portman Road, and the extensive injury list, of course, doesn’t help. But we don’t have any suspensions! There’s a positive!
As we begin our build up to the weekend’s game, here’s a look at all the injury concerns facing Micky Mellon.
JAKE CAPRICE
Let’s start with some good news! The right-back played 60 minutes of a reserve fixture during midweek after training in the past couple of weeks. Assuming he came through that outing unscathed, we’d imagine he’ll be involved with the first team squad for Saturday’s game. After picking up an injury in the final warm-up game of pre-season, it will be a welcome return as we’ve played most of the season thus far without a recognised right-back.
CALUM WOODS
The versatile defender picked up a calf injury in the 3-0 defeat at Oxford United. Woods has missed the past two games and will remain absent for a few more weeks yet.
KANE WILSON
The young full-back, on loan from West Bromwich Albion, picked up a knee ligament injury in training ahead of the Rotherham United game. He’ll be missing for a few more weeks, although the diagnosis was that the injury was not as bad as first feared.
MARK ELLIS
Ellis sustained a knee injury towards the back end of last season and remains absent. It’s likely to be some time yet until we next see the experienced defender in a Rovers shirt on the pitch.
EVAN GUMBS
Another who picked up a serious knee injury at the end of last term, the young defender is unlikely to be available for selection until the new year at the earliest.
GEORGE RAY
The former Crewe central defender was replaced at half time last weekend as Rovers defeated Burton Albion and so seems to be a doubt for the trip to Suffolk. With so many injuries in defence, it will be interesting to see if Micky Mellon stays with a back three for the trip to Portman Road or reverts to a back four, which appears more likely given the players at his disposal.
DAVID PERKINS
A big blow to lose an experienced and influential figure in the heart of the midfield. The veteran is the heartbeat of the side and sustained a hamstring injury last weekend against Burton Albion and appears out of contention to be ready for the trip to Ipswich. Luckily, Neil Danns has been brought in to the club recently and he did well when he came on last week and could be called upon for a lengthier role this weekend.
JACOB MADDOX
The on-loan Chelsea man is yet to make an appearance for Rovers since his move from Stamford Bridge. The midfielder was in the matchday squad for the trip to Rotherham a few weeks ago, but has not been involved since. Maddox has returned to Chelsea for some treatment, but a timescale on his absence is, as yet, unknown.
ISHMAEL MILLER
The big striker was enjoying a good pre-season campaign, having recovered from the injury problems which blighted his spell after joining Rovers in the second half of last season, before sustaining a hamstring problem against Walsall in the final warm-up match before the new campaign. There’s still no real news of how close he is to a return to action.
MORGAN FERRIER
Another player who sustained a knee ligament injury in training a few weeks ago and has missed the past few games. The striker is unlikely to feature again until the end of October/beginning of November.
