Tranmere v Carlisle preview

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Tranmere are likely to be without their captain James Wallace when they host Carlisle at Prenton Park.

The midfielder’s troublesome groin injury forced him off during the first half of Tuesday’s 2-1 loss to Swindon.

That could leave a big gap in Rovers’ engine room with ex-Wales international Jason Koumas rated very doubtful with a toe injury which forced him to miss out in midweek.

Defender Ian Goodison, 41, made his first start since November and will likely continue if loanee Stephen Arthurworrey fails to shake off a back problem.

Carlisle boss Graham Kavanagh could hand a second debut to striker Gary Madine when the Cumbrians take on Tranmere.

Madine, who left Brunton Park for Sheffield Wednesday in 2011, rejoined the club on loan in midweek and is in contention to play some part, along with on-loan midfielder Lucas Dawson, who arrived from Stoke on Thursday.

Midfielders Liam Noble (ankle) and Paul Thirlwell (calf) face late fitness tests after spells on the sidelines.

Kavanagh will be without midfielder Charni Ekangamene after he returned to parent club Manchester United in midweek.

Tranmere v Carlisle preview

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Tranmere manager Ronnie Moore has a collection of injury worries.

Defender Michael Kay, playmaker Andy Robinson and forward Adam McGurk were involved in a minor car crash earlier this week and are suffering from whiplash.

Moore told Tranmere Player: “A few of the boys were injured in a car crash on Tuesday. It was nothing major but someone hit Michael Kay’s car and him, Andy Robinson and Adam McGurk were in it.

“They’ve got a bit of whiplash and stiff backs and haven’t trained for three days so we’ll just have to wait and see.”

Last week’s postponement against Swindon provided some valuable recovery time for players nursing minor knocks, but forward Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro (ribs) remains a slight doubt.

“There were three or four who would have been struggling for the game against Swindon but they’re all fine now,” Moore added.

“Jean-Louis is bruised and it’s just a matter of pain, We’ll have to wait and see what he’s like but I think there’s every chance he could play.”

Rovers skipper James Wallace (knee) remains sidelined.

Carlisle defenders Mike Edwards and Peter Murphy will return to contention.

Edwards and fellow centre-half Murphy have both missed the last two games due to respective hamstring and calf injuries.

Manager Greg Abbott must decide whether to recall either player to his starting line-up or retain Danny Livesey at the heart of his defence alongside recent signing Sean O’Hanlon.

Left-back Chris Chantler remains doubtful due to a sprained ankle, so winger Matty Robson is on stand-by again to step into the back four, but Abbott has no other new injury or suspension problems.

Teenage striker David Symington is pushing for a starting place after stepping off the bench last week and salvaging a point for the Cumbrians against Scunthorpe with a terrific strike.

Midfielder Paul Thirlwell and striker Danny Cadamarteri are both expected to be named among the substitutes again following their respective calf problems.

Tranmere v Carlisle preview

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Tranmere winger Martin Devaney looks set to miss out for Rovers.

Devaney sat out the weekend defeat by Huddersfield with a hamstring strain and is likely to do so again, although he could return for the home game against Wycombe on Saturday.

Striker Adam McGurk returned to the first team on Saturday following a thigh injury. He has suffered no adverse reaction so should retain his place in attack.

But playmaker Andy Robinson and defender Mark McChrystal remain long-term absentees.

Robinson has a hamstring strain and is not expected to return for another month, while McChrystal will be out for at least two months because of a foot injury.

Carlisle will be boosted by the return of Peter Murphy and James Berrett.

Central defender Murphy and midfielder Berrett sat out Saturday’s home defeat to Hartlepool due to one-game bans, and both could go straight back into the starting line-up.

The Cumbrians have slipped to four straight defeats and manager Greg Abbott was unimpressed with his side’s display in Saturday’s home loss to Hartlepool.

Winger Andy Welsh, midfielder Jon-Paul McGovern and striker Craig Curran all stepped off the substitutes’ bench at the weekend and are pushing for starts, while Abbott also has the option of handing centre-half Danny Livesey a rare start.

Tranmere v Carlisle preview

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Tranmere will assess the fitness of Gunnar Nielsen.

The on-loan Manchester City goalkeeper missed Saturday’s defeat at Rochdale due to illness and will be looked at ahead of Monday’s encounter.

The 24-year-old could have played his last game for Rovers with his loan set to come to an end on Tuesday, with Joe Collister in line to deputise.

Liam Darville, borrowed from Leeds, has a head injury and is unlikely to play as he prepares to return to Elland Road following the Carlisle match.

Manager Les Parry is undecided on the futures of fellow loanees Jermaine Grandison and Scott Wootton, although they are both set to feature.

Defender Marlon Broomes starts a three-game ban following his dismissal in the loss at Spotland.

Meanwhile, Carlisle could include new signing Marc-Antoine Gbarssin in their squad.

The 26-year-old French midfielder signed a one-month contract on New Year’s Day after a recent trial and could be handed a longer-term deal.

The Cumbrians are expected to be without injured striker Ben Marshall, on loan from Stoke, who was forced off in the first half during the 2-2 draw with Huddersfield and was replaced by skipper Paul Thirlwell.

Thirlwell is likely to return to the starting line-up if Marshall misses out, but otherwise manager Greg Abbott has no other new injury problems.

Abbott must decide whether to recall striker Francois Zoko, who headed a late equaliser against Huddersfield, or retain on-loan Leeds forward Mike Grella.

Defenders Sean McDaid, Tony Kane (both knee) and Danny Livesey (groin) remain sidelined.