TRANMERE could be without defensive strongman Ian Goodison when they set out on the FA Cup trail with a first-round tie against Leyton Orient at Prenton Park tomorrow.

The Jamaican centre-back is a “major doubt” according to physio and caretaker manager Les Parry because of the stiff neck that kept him out of training yesterday.

Parry could face further disruption to the defence if right-back Shaleum Logan cannot shake off the groin strain he sustained this week.

If Goodison fails to recover in time, Parry may turn to raw but talented prospect Ash Taylor at the heart of the back four.

Taylor, an 18-year-old who graduated through Tranmere’s youth development system to secure a first professional contract last summer, has already made close to a dozen first-team appearances, including three starts under former manager John Barnes.

Parry has confidence in the youngster’s potential. He said: “Ash has been playing centre-back for the reserves and doing well. What he lacks in experience and know-how he makes up for in enthusiasm, bravery and height.

“I had a little chat with Ian Goodison about Ash the other day and Ian thinks he is a super prospect. His only weakness may be in dealing with a mistake, if he makes one. He may just go into his shell a little bit.

“But once we work on that and we teach him how to deal with mistakes, I think he is going to be an excellent player.”

Parry expects to be picking the team for a fifth time tomorrow with no announcement from the club as yet about a long-term successor to Barnes, who was sacked a month ago.

Parry isn’t allowing himself to be unsettled by the speculation about who might replace him and when. But he admitted he did feel “down” for 24 hours after Tranmere turned in a below-par performance in last Saturday’s 4-1 home defeat to Swindon Town.

“This week has been the same as every other week in that I have just got on with the job until I’m told otherwise,” Parry said.

“Obviously because of the defeat last Saturday, the speculation was somewhat elevated over the weekend and in the early part of the week that someone else was coming in.

“I don’t have a clue whether that is the case or not and that it does not concern me, I don’t worry about it.

“I was down for 24 hours last week because of the performance but you pick yourself up and start again.”

Parry added: “I’m hoping the Swindon performance was a blip. I appreciate that our record of results over the four games we’ve been in charge isn’t great, but the performances, apart from last weekend, have been excellent.”

The threat of team changes goes beyond those players with injury concerns. Parry said: “I would like to thank all the lads looked at their own performances last week and realised they could have done better.

“Because of that I would like to think that this week, with the FA Cup tie coming up and the axe looming, they are putting a little bit extra into their training.

“We had been chat this week and I told the lads the performance was unacceptable. We need a victory on Saturday and this would be a great season to have a cup run.”