Winger may make early return as young Rovers extend their winning sequence

Apr 5 2008 by Nick Hilton, Liverpool Daily Post

MANAGER Ronnie Moore waits on a fitness test to Chris Shuker before finalising his line-up for this afternoon's crunch encounter at Walsall.

The influential winger missed the last two games after suffering some reaction on his comeback from a knee operation.

Moore hopes Shuker can shake off the problem and give him an extra selection option in the squad that secured a 2-1 win over Swindon last Friday.

Sixth-placed Tranmere require a victory today to hold off a posse of challengers pursuing the last play-off spot. Defeat for Walsall would probably extinguish the home team's fading promotion hopes after a run of six games without a victory

Moore said: "We have to make sure we are mentally tough and don't worry about what is going on around us. We've talked about getting to the play-off final at Wembley and winning promotion there. It's the carrot we dangle before the players go out onto the pitch.

"There's no reason why we can't do it. We are as good as anyone in this division and better than most on our day. So we say to the players: show no fear. Just go out and play to your potential."

Meanwhile, Tranmere stretched their unbeaten sequence in the Youth Alliance to six games with a 1-0 success at Burnley.

Joel Richardson notched the only goal following a fourth minute corner. Then Rovers resisted some persistent Burnley pressure to claim the points and keep a clean sheet for the first time since October.

Coach Shaun Garnett said: "The boys defended well and although they had some luck, they earned it. They did not play well going forward but showed a professional defensive attitude.

"It's an area where I was looking for an improvement and it was good to see the discipline in the way they played."

Tranmere host Bury in an Alliance fixture at Raby Vale today, kick-off 11am.