TRANMERE will attempt to add to the troubles piling up on Oldham Athletic manager Paul Dickov this evening – and ease their own position into the bargain.

The Latics go into the televised encounter at Boundary Park on the back of eight defeats in the last nine games. From being in a position to challenge for the play-offs at the start of February, they are now just six points above the relegation places and four points better off than Tranmere.

Rovers manager Les Parry (pictured left) said: “Oldham’s run will end like all runs do but we have to make sure it does not happen until after we’ve played them.”

Tranmere halted their own poor run – seven games without a win – by defeating Colchester United at Prenton Park nine days ago. But their cushion above the League One relegation places was cut to points points over the weekend.

The issue at the heart of Oldham’s problems is their failure to score in nine of the last 10 games. The goals drought has become so serious that Dickov is considering dusting off his boots and playing himself, for the first time since a 10 minute cameo role in September.

“It is something we are considering,” said the 38-year-old former Manchester City striker. “I said we wanted to give the boys a chance and we gave them a chance. So we might have to consider it.”

Dickov believes his team can recover the form that kept them in the top half of the table during the first half of the campaign. “We played some great stuff early in the season and we have to get back to that,” he said.

Parry is sympathetic to Dickov’s sentiments, having looked at recordings of Oldham’s 1-0 home defeat to leaders Brighton nine days ago.

“It was quite evident that Oldham were the better side for much of the game but that is what happens when you’re playing the side at the top of the league,” Parry said.

“The same thing happened to us when we went down to Brighton. They got the decisions and the run of the ball but they also took their chances.

“Oldham should have beaten Brighton and came out with nothing. No wonder Paul Dickov is pulling his hair out.”

Parry added: “Runs are there to be broken. You can have a run of not scoring or a run of clean sheets and at the end of it ask yourself: how did that happen when there were so many chances in the games?”

Dickov boasts more than 470 career appearances for a dozen clubs, averaging a goal every three starting appearnces. He made only one starting appearance for Leeds United last season prior to taking charge of Oldham in the summer.

The option of the manager selecting himself is not open to Parry. “I would put the cleaners ahead of me in terms of playing,” said the 53-year-old physiotherapist turned manager.

However, Parry should have plenty of options among his squad as the casualty list recedes. Rovers were able to field 11 professionals in a reserve team game against Southport in midweek.

Tranmere have lost the services of Nigerian forward Lateef Elford-Alliyu, whose three-month loan spell from West Bromwich Albion was ended by a knee injury. Rovers attempted to sign an additional attacker before the deadline closed for loan signings on Thursday, but without success.

However, exciting teenage prospect of Dale Jennings should be closer to regaining match fitness and sharpness following a groin injury, having played just over an hour against Colchester.

Parry is confident three wins from 10 remaining fixtures will be sufficient to secure another season of League One football at Prenton Park.

“We know what we have to do between now and the end of the season and no-one can affect that,” Parry said.

“We have five of the 10 games against teams around us in the table and they are the games we need to win. They have been the games we were not winning recently so we have to start doing better. Our destiny is in our own hands. We are not dependent on other people winning games.

“If we win another three games, or get two wins and a few draws, we will be safe. We want to get those results sooner rather than later.”

Dickov could have a full-strength squad at his disposal. Winger Chris Taylor has missed the last two matches because of mumps but has returned to training this week and is set to be passed fit.

Midfielder Filipe Morais, who was also absent for the past two games, is back in light training following knee and hamstring injuries.

Defender Andy Todd is also expected to be available after missing the last two matches through a knee injury and Jean-Yves M’voto is making a speedy recovery from a twisted ankle sustained at Colchester.