Tranmere Rovers continue to be plagued by a long injury and suspension list as they prepare for the visit of Southend United to Prenton Park on Friday evening.
Friday night football is a bit of a tradition at Prenton Park, a regular occurrence through the 1960s until the 1990s, but things have changed and this is likely to be the only Friday night fixture of the season.
One thing that hasn’t changed is Tranmere’s bad luck with injuries! The treatment room is being extended as we speak with the physio working overtime!
From last week’s update, you can add the names of Ollie Banks, Darren Potter and Harvey Gilmour as there appears to be some sort of curse hanging around the Tranmere midfield.
There is some positive news for Micky Mellon in terms of selection. Connor Jennings is back from suspension, while Neil Danns returns from his international stint with Guyana.
Let’s take a closer look at the long list of injured players currently unavailable to Micky Mellon…
CALUM WOODS
The full-back has been missing since picking up an injury in the 3-0 defeat away at Oxford United a month ago. The diagnosis at the time suggested a lay-off of 4-6 weeks, meaning a return to the fold may be imminent. Whether that will be for Friday remains to be seen.
KANE WILSON
The young full-back, on loan from West Bromwich Albion, returned to the bench last weekend against Coventry City, so will hopefully be available again for selection for this game and going forward.
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.
DAVID PERKINS
The veteran midfielder has been highly influential in the heart of the Rovers side since he arrived at the turn of the year from Rochdale. He picked up a hamstring injury during the 2-1 victory over Burton Albion and has missed Tranmere’s last four matches. He has been photographed on the training ground so could be back involved again this week.
OLLIE BANKS
The midfielder has gone under the knife this week and Micky Mellon has spoken in his pre-match press conference that he’ll be out for three months so that is his 2019 finished. A big blow as he’s an influential figure in the heart of the midfield.
HARVEY GILMOUR
The young midfielder came into the side due to the absence of others and did well, but unfortunately he now has picked up a knee injury in training. He’s had a scan but there is no news on the extent of the injury currently. It would appear that he’s a big doubt for this one and could well be missing for a few weeks as well.
DARREN POTTER
The experienced midfield player has bruised ribs picked up from a robust challenge against Coventry last weekend. The amount of injuries to central midfield players in particular is crazy! He’s doubtful for this one.
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 back in light training, running again, but is likely to remain absent for another couple of weeks or so.
