TRANMERE Rovers boss Micky Adams has said it was dangerous to write off the squad as 'underdogs' as their League Two campaign continues.

Adams was speaking ahead of this weekend’s match against top-of-the-table Shrewsbury Town at Prenton Park.

It follows Rovers’ 2-0 beating by York City Last weekend, which saw Adams' squad slip to 22nd on the table.

He is confident that the squad has what it takes to turn their fortunes around and make real progress in their final 15 games of the season.

During a press conference at Prenton Park this afternoon, he said: "There's no hiding from the fact that last week was a poor day for us. We can't afford too many performances like that.

“We've done a lot of things this week. We've sat them down and talked to them and done a lot of work on the training ground and hopefully we'll be better."

Assessing this weekend's opponents he said: "I think it's as good a game as we could have got.

"The thing we've not handled very well recently is the favourite tags to win games.

"That's not sat too kindly with us.

"Saturday, we’re up against it, we understand that.

"I think it's a good game, that’ll suit us. I can't see Shrewsbury coming here and sitting behind the ball trying to nick a point.

"They’ll be going for it. They're league leaders, who have won lots of games this season and know how to win lots of games.

"We're back to that ‘underdog’ tag again and maybe a lot of people written us off. But we certainly haven't.

"We understand the frustration of our supporters and, certainly, after the York game and maybe you could factor into that Carlisle as well."

Following last weekend's defeat, Adams said it was the worst performance to date from his players.

However he remained confident Rovers would "get through it - and get over it" and have what it takes to get points.

He said today: "In the space of seven days, and that’s all it’s been, it seems that people have written us off and I think that's dangerous, for them."

Rovers' striker Cole Stockton will miss Saturday's home game against Shrewsbury Town as he requires surgery on a hernia.

Michael Ihiekwe will be available for the match after missing the last four fixtures with an ankle injury.

Asked when Stockton was likely to return, Adams said: "Cole is out, he needs a hernia operation and he's going to have that in the next fortnight.

"It depends what the surgeon finds when he's in there but we're looking at three to six weeks out."

Matt Hill is at St George's Park this week. He's been out on the training ground doing light ball work and light running and is still some weeks off.

Also out of action is Marcus Holness, awaiting an operation for an injury received during their game against Morecambe.

Adams said: "He's in a brace so his medial ligament will heal, as soon as that's healed he'll have an operation on his cruciate."