TRANMERE must go into tomorrow’s testing encounter at MK Dons without their most experienced defenders Ian Goodison and Marlon Broomes.
Manager Les Parry reflected on the “curse of the centre-backs” striking again this season as Goodison was ruled out by the ligament damage and Broomes by a torn calf.
Goodison sustained his injury in last Saturday’s 3-3 draw at home to Walsall, limping off after 76 minutes. Broomes missed the Walsall game with a virus but Parry reported that the torn calf is the latest in a series of injury problems that have restricted the 33-year-old to just six senior games this season.
Rovers were already hampered by long-term injuries to versatile Frenchman Maxime Blanchard and Dutch right-back Tim Cathalina.
Parry said: “The curse of the centre backs has hit us again. Ian Goodison is going to be out for a few weeks and so is Marlon.
“With Max and Tim also out it isn’t doing us any favours.”
Rovers will not be seeking reinforcements in the loan market for this weekend, said Parry, who signed Irish centre back Mark McChrystal from Derry City earlier this month to cover for such eventualities.
McChrystal can expect to make his first League One start for Tranmere alongside Ash Taylor tomorrow with Parry putting young centre-back prospect Nick Wood on the bench as cover.
McChrystal experienced an uncomfortable first taste of senior action with Tranmere as a replacement for Goodison in the final quarter hour of the Walsall game, when the home side surrendered two goals and two points to the division’s bottom team.
But Parry says he has faith in the 26-year-old. He said: “I thought Mark was unfortunate coming on when he did last Saturday.
“You don’t want to lose centre-backs at that stage of the game and you don’t see managers changing centre-backs at that stage of the game. It’s important to maintain continuity.
“When we looked at Mark’s performance we felt he did okay, even though we conceded two goals.”
Parry added: “At the moment we have enough players to cover so we are not going to do anything in the transfer market for Saturday.”
Tranmere will be up against a Dons team boasting a powerful home record of eight wins and two draws in 11 League One games. It’s been enough to keep the side managed by former Liverpool youth coach Karl Robinson on the edge of the play-off zone, in spite of their poor record on the road.
Parry said: “We will have to be on our mettle. MK Dons have the best home record in the division, they have only been beaten once at home.
“Karl is a local lad to us, which gives it a bit of spice and we beat them 4-2 at our place in October which gives it a bit more spice. The way we played that day, Karl will probably think they owe us one.”
Parry added: “You only have to look at MK Dons’ statistics to know they are a different kettle of fish at home than away. But they have just been to Exeter City, which is one of the more difficult places to go, and got a 1-1 draw which I think they were good value for.
“I have read comments from Karl saying he thinks they have turned the corner away from home – so let’s hope their home form drops off a bit.”
Meanwhile Parry reckons Rotherham manager Ronnie Moore is “playing games” after telling the media this week that he is still keen to sign his son, Ian Thomas-Moore, from Tranmere.
Rovers rejected a couple of transfer offers from the Millers for Thomas-Moore early in the season, insisting the player honour a contract that runs until June.
Parry said: “I just laugh. We spoke to Ian about a contract this week and then an hour later it is on the radio that Ronnie is saying he is still interested, after nothing has been said for months.
“Ronnie is playing it as a big game and if he wants to play games that’s up to him. It does not bother me in the least.
“That’s the way he does things. I do things differently. I’m not fed up of it because it will always happen.
“Ian is fortunate in having someone who really believes in him which gives him options. Other players don’t have that option so we don’t have the same problem.”
