TRANMERE manager Les Parry is ready to feed Andy Robinson’s hunger for action with another start in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy encounter with Chesterfield tomorrow.

The 31-year-old made an impressive return to first-team duty, following a two-month lay-off with a hamstring injury, in last Saturday’s goalless League One game against Colchester United.

Parry reckons Robinson will be best served by playing again in the third round tie at the b2net Stadium (kick-off 7.45pm) rather than easing himself back in by degrees.

“Andy needs to play more games now,” Parry said. “We were surprised that he got through 90 minutes so well on Saturday because he had not trained or played that much before.

“He was closing opponents down in the 89th minute. He did not drop off towards the end any more than anyone else. We were really pleased with him.”

Parry added: “Playing football is all Andy wants to do. He just wants to play, whether it is a five-a-side game with his mates or coming in to train and play with us. He is that type.

“Some footballers would not open the curtains if Manchester United were playing in the back garden. They do it as a job. They turn up, do as they are told and try their hardest. But they don’t have a love for the game. Robbo does.”

Robinson’s sharp and energetic performance against Colchester meant Tranmere did not lose any of their creative attacking force on a day when José Baxter began a three-match suspension.

Baxter, a talented teenage prospect in the second month of a loan from Everton, also misses the trip to Chesterfield and the FA Cup first round tie at home to Cheltenham Town on Saturday.

The 19-year-old was initially brought in to play the role just behind the central striker after Robinson was forced out of action with the hamstring problem at the end of August.

Parry said: “There are differences between the way the two of them play but they both bring that little bit of vision, guile, invention and class to the team.

“We did not get a result against Colchester but the performance was in line with what we are looking for. We just needed to take our chances.”

Tranmere are pursuing Wembley glory in one cup competition this week and a pot of gold in the other.

The Johnstone’s Paint Trophy provides Rovers with their best chance of reaching Wembley this season and a victory in the third round tie at the b2net Stadium tomorrow will take them to within three games of the final.

Parry says he does not see any prospect of Tranmere’s FA Cup journey, which begins with a first round home tie against Cheltenham Town on Saturday, reaching Wembley. But progress to the third round does earn them the chance of being drawn out of a hat with one of the Premier League giants – and sweeping up the financial windfall that goes with it.

Parry said: “In the early stages of the JPT, Wembley looks a long way off but now, whoever wins the game on Wednesday is three matches away from Wembley.

“With the FA Cup it is the financial implications that are most important to be honest. The FA Cup carries decent prize money for winning each round, it attracts decent crowds and you hope, if you win two rounds, that you will pull a big Premier League team and get some money into the club.

“We are not going to win the FA Cup this season but we have to stay in it for as long as we can to give ourselves a chance to gain some finances for the club. Once the club is stable – and we’re not far off from that – maybe we could get some money into help towards the playing side.”

Tranmere go into their week-long break from League One action in a healthy position. They occupy eighth place in the table, two points outside the play-off zone following the goalless draw with Colchester United at Prenton Park last weekend.

JOHN MORRISSEY and Eddie Murray will be joining the guest list for the Tranmere Former Players Foundation Sportsman’s dinner later this month.

Main speaker will be Steve Mungall, who played more than 600 games for Tranmere across three decades and his audience will include Steve Vickers, Ian Muir, Eric Nixon, Ian Nolan, Chris Malkin, Jim Steel, Kenny Irons and Shaun Garnett.

The event on Saturday, November 19 takes place at the Kingsland Restaurant, Borough Road, Birkenhead. Tickets for the three course dinner and entertainment, which also includes a comedian, cost £27.50 per person, with a discount for tables of 10. Limited seating is still available.

For details ring 07973 262896 or e-mail roper1@blackberry.orange.co.uk