MANAGER Les Parry has put team changes on the agenda as Tranmere prepare to return to League One against second placed Sheffield Wednesday at Prenton Park this weekend.
Rovers have not won for four games and went out of both the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy at Chesterfield and the FA Cup at home to Cheltenham Town last week, leaving them to concentrate solely on the league programme.
“I have a few questions that have to be answered this week,” Parry said as he reflected on a disappointing performance in the 1-0 home defeat to Cheltenham.
A reserve team game at Prenton Park this afternoon could provide some clues on how Parry adjusts the senior line-up against the Owls.
Several players who are on the comeback road from injuries, including Mark McChrystal, Martin Devaney and Enoch Showunmi, will be given a run-out in the Central League fixture against Oldham Athletic (kick-off 2pm) with a view to stepping up their challenges for a first team spot.
Parry said: “Everyone who did not start against Cheltenham will be playing for the reserves. It is a chance for a lot of players to push their claims.
“Martin Devaney is a possibility, Mark McChrystal is a possibility, Enoch Showunmi is chomping at the bit for a game and is a possibility. We also have Jose Baxter available again after suspension.”
Centre back McChrystal, who was sidelined for two months with a foot injury, played his first full game in the JPT last week and was an unused substitute against Cheltenham.
Parry said: “Martin just jogged through a reserve game the other week and that was all we wanted him to do. The half-hour against Cheltenham was his first taste of opening himself out.
“He put three decent crosses in and there were a couple of opportunities where he could have done better and picked someone out. That’s not being critical, it’s being complimentary because he wasn’t on for very long and he did not get a touch of the ball for the first 10 minutes.
“It showed what he can provide for us.”
Showunmi, who named as the Northwest League One player of the year last night, aims to celebrate by forcing his way back into Tranmere’s frontline.
