TRANMERE must be ready to deal with the extra bounce in the step of League One opponents Leyton Orient tomorrow, warns manager Ronnie Moore.

The Londoners arrive at Prenton Park with a new manager, Geraint Williams, who was appointed yesterday as successor to the long serving Martin Ling.

Williams’ priority is to guide Orient away from danger near the foot of the table. And to start the task with a positive result, they must put a dent in Rovers’ impressive home form.

Moore is in no doubt that Orient present more of a threat as a result of William’s appointment but insists his own team are equipped to carry on winning in front of the Prenton Park faithful.

Moore said: “Teams always get a lift when a new manager comes in. Players find an extra 20% from somewhere because they are looking to impress the manager and they are playing for future contracts.

“But it is about what we do that counts. We are playing at home, where our form is excellent and we should not be worrying about who we are up against.

“Yes we should show Orient respect. But if we perform to the level we have reached here this season, we are a match for anyone.”

Tranmere have banked 22 points from last 24 at stake at Prenton Park and produced some sparkling attacking football in the most recent home wins over Carlisle United and Stockport.

Moore said: “I hope we can get a decent following on Saturday. We have given our supporters some good performances. The football played in the last two games at Prenton Park was as good as anything we have seen here in a long time.”

Orient will start the afternoon two points below the safety line in the relegation zone. However, they boast an away record of four wins and four draws from 15 games that is better than Tranmere’s form on the road.

Williams’ initial contract with Orient runs until the end of the season.

He succeeds Ling, who was sacked 24 hours after the club’s home defeat by Bristol Rovers last month.

Williams will be assisted by Kevin Nugent, who had stepped up from his position as youth team manager to become caretaker manager following the departure of Ling.

The 47-year-old former Colchester manager, who led the Essex club to 10th place in the Championship two years ago, has three months to save Orient from the drop into League Two.

But while there is a change on the managerial side, boxing and snooker promoter Barry Hearn will remain in charge of the club for the time being after takeover talks failed to produce a positive outcome this week.

Hearn, who has been chairman for 14 yeasr, was in discussions with a consortium reported to be headed by Terry Byrne, a business advisor to David Beckham. But the parties have been unable to reach an agreement over terms and negotiations have ceased.

Orient recruited Chelsea midfielder Jimmy Smith on loan this week and the 22-year-old could be on duty at Prenton Park.

Tranmere’s selection options are limited.

Centre-back Ian Goodison faces from four to six weeks on the sidelines with the ankle ligament injury he sustained in the 2-1 defeat at Crewe Alexandra last Saturday.

Moore says Chris Greenacre is due to see a specialist in a fortnight’s time about his foot injury and may not be available for action until March.

Fellow striker Craig Curran, who has spent most of the season sidelined by a back problem, faces an operation that will keep him out of action for a further five weeks.

Teenager Terry Gornell could be back in training within a week, however.

Antony Kay can expect to be reassigned to take Goodison’s place at the heart of the defence tomorrow with Gareth Edds taking over the skipper’s midfield job.

In attack, the manager is likely to keep faith with the Chris Shuker/Ian Moore combination.