TRANMERE manager Les Parry says he is looking to addŠtwoŠkey recruitsŠto his squadŠbefore the start of the new season – but is prepared to wait for football’s market forces to do their work before making hisŠmoves.
Rovers agreed a one-year contract with Brazilian prospect Vinni Dantas this week, with the signing subject to the granting of a work permit.
However, Parry is still Šlooking for a striker with experience, a midfielder and back up players before Rovers kick-off their League One campaign with a home game against Chesterfield on Saturday, August 6.
Parry isn’t inclined to rush into deals at a time when hundreds of players are still looking for clubs and wage demands are beginning to fall.
Parry said: “We are getting to the stage of the summer when players are becoming a little bit desperate if they have not found a club.
“We went through a list of players who are still available and there are some good quality players out there who haven’t got themselves a club yet.
“At the moment they are asking for money that is out of our price range, but we don’t know if those demands are going to come down. We may be able to bring in better players if we wait a little longer.”
Parry made a flurry of captures earlier in the summer, signing players such as Robbie Weir, Michael Kay, Mark McChrystal and Andy Robinson, who had been on short-term deals at Prenton Park last season.
Goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams signed a two-year contract after being released by Rochdale at the end of last season and the arrival of Dantas has created some excitement among supporters.
Parry said: “We are still looking for someone who can play up front and we need a little bit more strength in midfield.
“The other players we are looking for are as back up.”
Tranmere’s long serving defender, Ian Goodison, is due to return to the squad this week. The 37-year-old spent a relaxing summer at his home in the Caribbean.
Goodison was originally selected to be part of the Jamaica international team’s preparations for the Concacaf Gold Cup this summer.
But Goodison was dropped from the squad by coach Theo Whitmore – a former Tranmere teammate – after failing to attend a pre-tournament training camp in Brazil.
ŠMeanwhile, Tranmere’s season ticket holders will be able to enjoy reduced admission prices for the preseason friendlies against a Manchester United XI on Wednesday, July 27 (kick-off 7:30pm) and a Liverpool XI on Tuesday, August 2 (kick-off 7pm) at Prenton Park.
The Main Stand and paddocks will be open for home supporters with away supporters in the Cowshed Stand.
Admission for adults will be £10 or £8 for season-ticket holders, seniors and young persons £5 (£4 season ticket holders) and juniors and disabled £4, (£3 season-ticket holders).
Season ticket holders can obtain a discount price ticket from the club shop on production of vouchers from their season-ticket book: voucher A for Manchester United and voucher B for Liverpool.
l Tranmere fielded their strongest side of the summer so far and were rewarded with a 2-1 win over Marine at College Road.
Headed goals by Lucas Akins and Andy RobinsonŠon 15 and 17 mintes, both set up by fine crosses from Adam McGurk,Šput the visitors in command.
Rovers played some composed and measured football in the first half but were less dominant after the interval and non-league Marine pulled a goal back on 78 minutes through substitute Paul London.
Tranmere’s starting line-up included eight players who figured in the first team last season.
David Raven, the former Liverpool and Carlisle defender who has been training with Rovers through the pre-season, played at centre-back.
Trialist David Buchanan, a full-back, was given a 45-minute run in the second half.
ŠTRANMERE: Coughlin, Kay, Taylor, Raven, Bakayogo (Buchanan 46), Power, Welsh, Labadie (Vaulks 85), Robinson (Wainwright 40), Akins, McGurk (Stockton 83).
