The injury list for Tranmere Rovers is slowly beginning to get shorter as a number of key players are returning to full fitness, with Micky Mellon’s side preparing to take on Wycombe Wanderers for part II of a three parter with the Chairboys.
The two sides will be well acquainted having met just last weekend in the Emirates FA Cup. A 2-2 draw at Prenton Park means they will meet again next Wednesday evening, a third encounter in just 11 days, with this league fixture in between.
The game has been moved to Sunday with an unusual kick-off of 12:00noon, forming part of Sky Sports’ Super Sunday! The roast dinner may need to be postponed until a little later this week!
Tranmere are finally beginning to see light at the end of the injury tunnel, with a number of players back available once more after lengthy layoffs.
The most notable name amongst that group is striker Morgan Ferrier. The former Walsall man returned to action in the cup tie against Wycombe last weekend and followed up a half-hour cameo with an 84 minute run-out in the EFL Trophy against Salford City in midweek.
That game time will be highly beneficial for Ferrier and it will be interesting to see if he starts on Sunday or if he will be eased back into things with another role from the substitutes’ bench.
The Salford game also saw the return to action of midfielder Darren Potter after a rib injury while Chelsea loanee Jacob Maddox made his Rovers debut after suffering with various knocks since his arrival from Stamford Bridge.
So, it’s a healthier looking Tranmere squad which goes into this League One fixture against Gareth Ainsworth’s high-flying Wycombe side who currently sit just behind leaders Ipswich Town on goal difference.
Let’s take a closer look at who’s missing or doubtful to make Sunday’s game…
CALUM WOODS
The experienced full-back, who has looked decent in the little we’ve seen of him in a Tranmere shirt, has returned to training after picking up an injury against Oxford United in early September. He will be close to a return to the reckoning, although with Kane Wilson and Jake Caprice available, he may need to bide his time.
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.
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 is away on international duty in sunnier climes, no doubt, with Guyana as they take on Aruba and Jamaica in a double header in the CONCACAF Nations League.
HARVEY GILMOUR
Gilmour took his opportunity in the side after injuries to others, before picking up a knee injury one of his own. He’s out of a knee brace but is still looking at missing the next few weeks of fixtures.
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 couple of weeks through injury, although the extent of the problem hasn’t really been spoken about. But with Morgan Ferrier returning to full fitness, Stefan Payne in good form and Rushian Hepburn-Murphy having recently netted a hat-trick, even if fully fit, it seems unlikely he would feature.
