Steve Hunter reports from Prenton Park

PREMIERSHIP club Coventry City visit Prenton Park in the Worthington Cup 2nd round, 1st leg next Tuesday evening, but Tranmere manager John Aldridge's immediate priority is stopping the rot after three straight defeats when Rovers go to Ewood Park, on Saturday, to take on big spenders Blackburn Rovers in the Nationwide League Division One (kick-off 3pm).

Blackburn, relegated from the Premiership last season, are expected to mount a promotion charge this season, aided by the backing of multi-millionaire Jack Walker.

Not even the debuts of new signing Wayne Allison and on loan midfielder Tony Grant could inspire Tranmere on Friday as they went down 3-0 at the hands of Barnsley.

Mr Aldridge hopes Allison can provide the firepower to propel Tranmere up the table. No Tranmere striker has registered a league goal so far this season - a statistic that is worrying the Rovers boss.

He puts Tranmere's shaky form down to the amount of changes with incomings and outgoings at Prenton Park. "We need a win to get our confidence going," he said.

Mr Aldridge is forced into a defensive reshuffle, with defenders Andy Thompson and Clint Hill sitting out the trip to Blackburn, both with one match bans.

Rovers' French star, Georges Santos, has been placed on the transfer list after rejecting new contract terms. More bad news came in the form of a three match ban. Santos will miss both the Worthington Cup home and away legs with Coventry City, plus the visit of Portsmouth to Prenton Park on Saturday, September 18.

Defender Steve Yates is considering Rovers' two year contract offer. The player wants to join Tranmere, but personal terms have still to be finalised.

Republic of Ireland Under-21 international Alan Mahon has still to accept a new contract.

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