CARETAKER manager Les Parry sought to put the record straight last night about the defender who is playing through the pain barrier to help Tranmere fight their way out of trouble.

Parry reckons Ian Goodison is doing a “magnificent” job at the heart of the Rovers back four as he copes with a back condition that would keep most players on the sidelines.

The 37-year-old Jamaican international is also having to deal with criticism of his performances from supporters who don’t understand the physical difficulties he is facing, Parry argues.

Parry said: “Ian Goodison has been seeing things said and is hearing things said by fans about his level of performance not being great.

“Let me say that I think Ian Goodison is the only one at the club who would be playing with his level of discomfort at the moment.”

The long serving physiotherapist added: “We need him. Okay, he is struggling a little bit with his back but he is digging deep for us. For me, he has been magnificent.”

Goodison is ready to answer the call of duty once again when Tranmere take on Brentford at Prenton Park tomorrow.

The meeting with the Bees does not have the glamour appeal of Tranmere’s midweek encounter with big spending, promotion chasers Huddersfield, from which they emerged with a 3-3 draw.

But Parry sees the Brentford game as more significant in terms of Rovers’ long-term aim of climbing out of League One’s bottom four.

Parry said: “Brentford is always going to be a bigger game than Huddersfield. Coming back three times from going a goal down on Tuesday speaks volumes for the spirit in our side but ultimately, all we got from Huddersfield was a point and some confidence.

“We cannot impact on the distance between ourselves and Huddersfield near the top of the table but we can between us and Brentford.

“They are in the mid-table area where we want to get to. They will want to cement their position there and had a very good win over Colchester in midweek. If we are lucky enough to beat them, I think we can pull it back to five points between us.”

Tranmere would hope to climb off the foot of the table with a victory this weekend. Dressing room confidence is rising after a run of three unbeaten games, the best sequence of the season so far.

“No-one expected us to get anything at Huddersfield,” Parry said. “It was definitely a coupon buster. There will be a lot of people who lost money betting on that result. The point was a very good one for us – and deserved.”

Parry reported that examination of a DVD recording of the game showed Tranmere’s third equaliser was scored by young defender Ash Taylor, although the goal was initially credited to substitute Michael Ricketts.

“It was Ash Taylor who got the last touch,” Parry said. “He came in on (the free-kick from John Welsh), headed the ball down onto his foot and it rolled past the keeper.

“I think Michael Ricketts was in a different postcode so how they PA announcer gave it to him I’ll never know. But you can’t blame strikers claiming goals.”

Tranmere could be forced into a change in attack tomorrow. Striker Ian Thomas-Moore is a doubtful starter with a foot injury sustained at the Galpharm Stadium.

Parry said: “Ian is a major doubt. When Huddersfield scored their third goal, Ian was back trying to clear it and booted the studs of one of their players. His foot is very sore at the moment.”

The ankle injury that kept Chris Shuker out of action at Huddersfield is settling down and Parry says the wide man could find a place on the bench tomorrow. Alan Mahon and Bas Savage continue to be ruled out as long-term casualties.