TRANMERE Rovers are preparing for what manager Gary Brabin believes will be a competitive and challenging away match against Sutton United.

During a press conference ahead of Saturday's game at The Borough Sports Ground, which starts at 12.15pm, Brabin said it will provide different problems for his players.

The game will be broadcast live on BT Sport 1.

Rovers, currently fourth on the National League table, have been training for the game on a similar surface to the 4G pitch they will play on tomorrow.

Sutton started their first season back in the National League and are 14th on the table. At home, they have picked up three wins and two defeats to date, adding to four points from a win and a draw on the road.

Assessing tomorrow's opponents, Brabin said: "It's going to be competitive; they're are going to pose problems for us.

"They've come up from the lower league. We have to make sure we're doing right.

"There's an opportunity to see the game on television and see what we can do.

"The fact that the game is on an artificial pitch does change things a little bit.

"It's about getting the lads used to that type of surface as it's quite a bit different to what we're used to.

"But we have good players and whether the pitch is good, bad or indifferent, we don't want any excuses so we've got to be prepared so we're practising on artificial pitches before the game so we want to throw any excuses out of the window."

Brabin will be without Connor Jennings, out of action with a knee injury, and the suspended Jeff Hughes who received a red card during their game against York City on Tuesday evening.

Brabin continued: "Jeff (Hughes)'s suspension is a blow for us but it's an opportunity for someone else to come in and stake their case."