TRANMERE will look to recall influential midfielders James Wallace and Andy Robinson to the side when they defend their top of the table status at Crewe Alexandra this weekend.

The pair were rested with dead legs while Rovers went out of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy at Port Vale on Tuesday.

Manager Ronnie Moore also left out first team regulars Jean-Louis Akbar Akpro and midfielder Liam Palmer as his side made a first-round exit to two goals by Jennison Myrie-Williams at Vale Park.

However, for the short journey to Gresty Road, he is likely to fall back on the group of players who earned Tranmere 10 points from the opening four League One fixtures.

Moore is also hopeful right back Danny Holmes shakes off the slight groin strain that caused him to be withdrawn at half-time on Tuesday.

Moore wasn't inclined to blame his players for the defeat, which saw Rovers make an exit from a knockout competition for the second time in eight days following last week's Capital One Cup defeat at Aston Villa.

“It is hard when you change the side,”Moore said.

“We had new faces in the team and it's not their fault. They had not started games and they need match fitness. You are going to be lucky if they can all zip into what we're used to. It takes time for the cobwebs to come off.”

Tranmere will be aiming to pick up where they left off in last Saturday's 4-0 League One win over Colchester United at Prenton Park. Rovers' most exciting performance of the season so far was capped off by a hat-trick from teenage front man Jake Cassidy.

Crewe manager Steve Davis is hoping to bring in two loan signings from Arsenal in time to face Tranmere.

Davis is keen to recruit a midfield replacement for Ashley Westwood following his former captain's £2m move to Aston Villa on deadline day last Friday.

He is also lining up a striker as a short-term replacement for Mathias Pogba, who will be out for at least the next two weeks with a knee injury. Davis hopes to do the deals after talks with Arsenal's assistant boss Steve Bould.