TRANMERE aim to extend an Oktoberfest of positive results at Hartlepool United’s expense tonight.

Rovers fans travelling to the League One encounter at Victoria Park will be raising a glass to manager Les Parry’s success in securing the services of attacking playmaker Jose Baxter for another month of loan duty – and hoping to toast another victory afterwards

It is probably more than a coincidence that Tranmere’s results picked up soon after the talented 19-year-old joined them on a temporary basis from Everton.

A return of two wins and two draws from four October games so far has lifted Tranmere to eighth place in the table and within two points of the play-off zone.

Parry said: “We said October was going to be a big month for us and if we got some good results we could get ourselves moving towards the play-off places again. We’ve done that. Now we have two away games (at Hartlepool and at Scunthorpe on Saturday) where we have to consolidate.

“That’s going to be difficult but it is not beyond us.”

Baxter’s initial loan spell was due to end after the Hartlepool game but Parry secured an agreement with Goodison counterpart David Moyes yesterday to extend the arrangement and the formal details should be finalised tomorrow.

That should give Tranmere the option of playing Baxter in Saturday’s visit to Scunthorpe and in a further three League One games in November - although it is unlikely Everton will permit Baxter to play in the FA Cup first round tie scheduled for the middle of the month.

Parry said: “I have spoken to David Moyes and he said okay to Jose staying with us for another month. I’ve spoken to Jose and he is very keen to stay here for another month.”

Baxter brought a touch of creative class to Tranmere’s attacking play after arriving at Prenton Park towards the end of September.

“He is a natural fit for the role just behind the central striker that was filled so effectively by Andy Robinson during the first month of the season.

Robinson is back in training after a two-month layoff but Parry says the extension of Baxter’s loan means the older player won’t have to be hurried back into first-team action.