Moore sweats on fitness of several key players

Sep 8 2007 by Nick Hilton, Liverpool Daily Post

TRANMERE manager Ronnie Moore is waiting on fitness tests to several players before making his selection for the League One encounter with Carlisle at Brunton Park this afternoon.

Moore reports seven doubtful or non-starters, including powerful strikers Calvin Zola and Gareth Taylor, influential midfield man Paul McLaren and winger Chris Shuker.

Versatile defender Anthony Kay could be in line for his first start of the season after impressing Moore in Tranmere’s midweek defeat by Morecambe in the Johnstone Paints Trophy.

Carlisle’s caretaker manager Greg Abbott has defender David Raven available after recovering from a cut to the head that required four stitches last weekend. Abbott has to decide on whether to use Wirral-born Raven, a Tranmere fan, in a central defensive role or switch him to right-back in order to make way for Harry Worley, a teenager on loan from Chelsea.

Raven, signed from Liverpool last summer, has helped to give Carlisle the best defensive record in the division with some impressive performances at centre-back.

But Abbott reckons the Cumbrians will be tested by Tranmere’s attacking prowess. He said: “They have some good quality in their ranks and they are better going forward than they are in defence.

“Steve Davies is gaining a big reputation at the moment, Chris Greenacre scores goals for fun and Chris Shuker is a very clever player who provides the service.”