Tranmere Rovers have some more positive news on the injury front as they head into FA Cup second round action this weekend against Chichester City.
Last weekend, defender Calum Woods and midfielder David Perkins returned to the squad, while Sunday could see the returns of Liam Ridehalgh and Neil Danns.
Kane Wilson will again miss out through suspension after seeing his marching orders against Wycombe Wanderers in the previous round.
Let’s take a closer look at who’s unavailable for Micky Mellon for this weekend…
MARK ELLIS
Mark 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. A return date of February is the target for the former Shrewsbury Town man.
EVAN GUMBS
Another who picked up a serious knee injury at the end of last term, the young defender is not going to be available for selection until the new year. Again, February is the target when Gumbs might be back to full fitness and ready to challenge for a place in the squad.
LIAM RIDEHALGH
After sustaining a foot injury two weeks ago in the league game against Wycombe Wanderers, Ridehalgh missed the replay in the previous round against the Chairboys and last week’s 2-1 defeat at Fleetwood Town. The injury is not as bad as first feared and it looks like he could be available again for this weekend’s cup tie.
KANE WILSON
A wild challenge in the replay against Wycombe Wanderers meant that the West Bromwich Albion loanee saw red and so misses this game as the second game of a three match suspension.
OLLIE BANKS
The former Oldham Athletic midfielder was in good form until a knee injury was sustained innocuously in training. Banks went under the knife recently and he is ruled out until the New Year.
NEIL DANNS
The experienced midfielder has missed the past few games with a niggling injury. It was suggested that he might have been ready for last weekend, but having sat out the defeat at Fleetwood, it seems he could be ready to return to the fold this week.
HARVEY GILMOUR
Gilmour took his opportunity in the side after injuries to others, before picking up a knee injury one of his own. Six to eight weeks was the suggested rehab for the former Sheffield United man, so he could be close to a return, if not this week, then in the next week or two.
ISHMAEL MILLER
The big striker was enjoying a decent pre-season before pulling up with a hamstring injury in Rovers’ final pre-season friendly against Walsall. There has been very little said about his situation, so it’s unknown whether he will return to action before his six-month contract expires in January.
JORDAN PONTICELLI
The Coventry City loanee has been absent for a few weeks through injury, although the extent of the problem hasn’t been spoken about so it’s unknown whether he’ll be available or not.
