TRANMERE Rovers' manager Gary Brabin is expecting a tough but entertaining game against Barrow at Prenton Park tonight.

Rovers will be looking to bounce back following Saturday's defeat against Eastleigh.

Barrow are currently in 15th place on the National League standings on 21 points, just six points behind Rovers who are fifth.

Darren Edmondson's side will also be looking for a response after they were beaten 2-1 by Eastleigh on Saturday.

But despite the pressure, Brabin said he was pleased with his squad's performance and wants them the fans during tonight's match.

Assessing the opposition during a press conference at Prenton Park, Brabin said: "They have got big ambitions and it will be a tough game.

"They have recruited a lot of players over the summer and have got a winning mentality."

On his squad's performance, he said: "I don't just want to go into games hoping that we win games, like the fans I want to be entertained.

"The fans want to come here and be entertained and I want to be entertained too.

"I don't want to turn up and see a team that I've put out grinding it out and wishing that we can get a draw or a win, I want to enjoy the football and I think the lads are showing that."

Brabin will be without Lois Maynard for tonight's game through suspension but a number of other players may also be missing with injuries.

He said everyone will be given the maximum time possible before making decisions on their fitness.

"Hopefully it won't be as bad as first feared but we'll assess the injuries before the game and pick a team accordingly."

Tranmere against Barrow was once a regular feature on the fixture list, with the two clubs having previously met 78 times.

However, this evening's game will be the first competitive meeting between the clubs since October 1969 when Tranmere pulled off a 5-0 victory at Prenton Park.

Of the 78 previous meetings, Rovers hold the upper hand having recorded 34 victories to Barrow's 25 with 19 matches ending with the scores level.