NICK WOOD looks to have earned the chance to give his career a kick-start with Tranmere.

Manager Les Parry says he plans to offer Wood contract terms for the new season after the 19-year-old impressed in two trial appearances for Rovers over the past week.

Wood, released by Sheffield Wednesday at the end of last season, formed a strong centre-back partnership with Ian Goodison that kept out Championship side Nottingham Forest last week.

The duo could not prevent Conference hosts Mansfield Town notching a late equaliser in the 1-1 draw at Field Mill but Parry was once again pleased with the youngster’s contribution

Parry said: “We are hoping to get something done with Nick.

“We would like to get him signed in the coming week.”

Finding extra cover and competition for the central defensive positions has become a priority for Rovers. They will be missing Ash Taylor for up to four months after the young prospect underwent knee surgery last week.

Meanwhile, the experienced Marlon Boomes and right-back Timothy Cathalina are nursing Achilles tendon injuries.

Matt Hollyoak, a trialist who played in the right-back spot at Mansfield, will be given another run in the pre-season friendly at Chester tomorrow.

Hollyoak, formerly on the junior books with West Ham, Gillingham and Millwall, spent the last couple of years in the USA and was working with the University of North Florida.

However Parry said he is going to have a long think about striker Bakary Bojang, a triallist from Denmark.