TRANMERE have arranged a friendly behind closed doors against Bradford City today in order to speed Andy Robinson’s return to League One action.
The suspension ruling Jose Baxter out of the next three games is forcing Rovers manager Les Parry to accelerate Robinson’s comeback from a hamstring injury
If the 31-year-old comes through his first full game in two months without reaction today, it is likely he will return to a creative attacking in the League One encounter with Colchester United at Prenton Park this weekend.
Baxter was recruited on loan from Everton towards the end of September to fill the void left in the side by Robinson’s absence. The teenager’s performances were so impressive that Parry gained permission from Goodison counterpart David Moyes to extend the loan.
However, Baxter began his second month by incurring a straight red card for a lunging challenge in Tranmere’s 4-2 defeat at Scunthorpe last Saturday.
As a consequence the youngster will miss the Colchester game, the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy third round tie at Chesterfield on Wednesday, November 9 and the FA Cup first-round tie at home to Cheltenham on Saturday, November 12 -- although Rovers would have needed special permission from Everton to select the youngster for the FA Cup game.
Parry said: “It would have been nice to have another week or so to ease Andy back in but we have not got that now.”
Robinson was given a dozen minutes of first-team action as a late substitute in the 2-0 win at Hartlepool last Tuesday but remained on the bench at Scunthorpe.
The Bradford game has also been arranged for the benefit of two more players coming back from injuries: defender Mark McChrystal (foot) and wide man Martin Devaney (hamstring).
“It is important that all three of them are involved,” Parry said. “Mark McChrystal is ready, he’s just not played any games yet. We can make sure he is right. If he was needed on Saturday I think he is ready, willing and able to go in.
“Martin is only starting to train this week but hopefully he will play some part against Bradford and then we can look to push him on.”
