MANAGER John Barnes increased Tranmere’s squad strength to 16 professionals when he signed former Liverpool midfielder John Welsh.

The one-time England under-21 international, who was released by Hull City this summer, had been training with Rovers for the past fortnight before signing yesterday.

Welsh should go into action tonight, when Tranmere kick off their pre-season programme with simultaneous friendlies against local amateur teams Cammell Laird and Heswall.

Both games kick off at 7pm. with Barnes splitting his professionals into two groups, to be supported by youth trainees and trialists.

Welsh, 25, is a graduate of the Anfield Academy who made his Liverpool first team debut at the age of 18 and posted seven senior appearances in the 2004/05 campaign.

He moved to Hull the following season, initially on loan and then on a permanent basis.

Last season Welsh struggled to hold down a place in Hull’s Premier League line-up and had loan spells with Carlisle in League One and Bury in League Two.

Barnes said: “I have watched John Welsh over the years and seen the type of player he is. He is hard-working, a good tackler and distributor of the ball.”

Welsh could form a central midfield partnership with Paul McLaren, the 32-year-old playmaker who rejoined Rovers at the weekend following a season with Bradford City.