TRANMERE Rovers' boss Ronnie Moore hopes his squad will return from their League One match against Shrewsbury Town on Boxing Day with their first three points of the Christmas season.

The match, at Greenhous Meadow Stadium, follows Rovers 2-1 defeat by Gillingham at Prenton Park on Friday night.

Moore says his side have to get back to keeping clean sheets if they are to win games.

They have conceded 11 in their last three matches, all of which ended in defeat. Prior to that they picked up four wins and three draws in an eight match run that only saw the team let in nine goals.

Looking ahead to the Boxing Day match at the Greenhouse Stadium, which kicks off at 3pm, Moore told the club's website Tranmere Player: "Down the middle we have to be strong, we have to win the first ball.

"Going forward we have got attacking minded players, a bit of youth and a bit of pace.

"To score three goals every game to win, it can't happen and it hasn't been happening.

"I want to see a lot more clean sheets in the New Year. If we do that we're always going to score.

"It's a massive game. Playing Shrewsbury away will be as hard as playing Wolves at home.

"It's all about us - if we perform to the best of our ability we'll give anyone a game. If we don't then we'll be in trouble."

Moore revealed that, with Jim McNulty serving a one match ban, Ian Goodison out with a thigh injury and Ryan Edwards being treated for a hernia problem at Blackburn Rovers, he would select one of his left backs in the middle of defence at the Greenhous Meadow, while Andy Robinson is also getting closer to a starting role.

He added: "We'll be missing a centre back as Goodison isn't fit and McNulty is suspended so it means we'll probably have to play a left back in there. It leaves us a bit short height wise.

"Robbo has probably got to play now. There's not a lot more he can do fitness-wise.

"He came on [against Gillingham], got on it and did everything we know he's capable of doing in the last 20 minutes."

Rovers League One Christmas fixtures continue on Sunday, December 29,
against Sheffield United Sky . Kick-off 3pm.