Tranmere coach Chris Shuker has issued a rallying call to the squad ahead of Saturday's clash with league leaders Shrewsbury Town at Prenton Park.

The former Rovers midfielder-turned-coach says the players need to convert their work on the training ground into a positive performance.

The Tranmere squad has been hard at work this week, aiming to bounce back from the disappointing 2-0 defeat at York.

Shuker said: "We're right in the pack and we know we've got the players in the dressing room to do the business.

"It's about getting it over to them what we want and them putting it on the pitch.

"We've been doing some good work on the training ground, it's down to the players to have the courage to take it on to the pitch.

"We've got to stick it to them on Saturday early doors and have the confidence to play.

"Not just to stick your head in or put a tackle in, but the courage to get on the ball and make that pass that might create something for us.

"That first ten minutes is massively important and then to have the courage from there on to play."

Shuker rejoined the club on the coaching staff in October last year, linking up with Adams, his former manager at Port Vale.

Speaking immediatley after the York defeat, Adams appeared to question the commitment of some of his players:

He said: "I have to take responsibility and I will. I've got broad shoulders and I deserve all the stick that might be coming my way tonight.

"But my question to my players is are you going to accept it as well. We all need to look in the mirror.

"Our mentality to the game was wrong. 

"They were up for it and we weren't.

"That's really disappointed me and given me food for thought.

Saturday's game against the Shrews will be followed on Tuesday by a journey to 16th-placed Portsmouth, and Rovers will face a crucial away clash with struggling Cheltenham Town on February 28.

The Robins are in the relegation zone - one place and a single point behind Tranmere.

Cheltenham chairman Paul Baker called a meeting with all staff, directors and players at the end of last week made it clear the club is fighting for Football League survival.

Baker has no doubt about the importance of the games ahead: “There are 15 matches remaining and the next four are potentially season-changing games against teams around us in the table," he said in a message to fans.