Striker Hemmings in line for Tranmere debut against Rochdale

The 30-year-old forward has joined Rovers on a two-and-a-half-year deal and is widely expected to go straight into the reckoning against Rochdale on Saturday, after impressing new teammates in his very first training session.

Supporters will be hoping for another three points at Prenton Park on Saturday, as they look to continue a run that has seen the Whites pick up 19 points out of a possible 21, moving them up to second in League Two.

Speaking at his weekly pre-match press conference, Mellon said: "We've worked for a wee while now to try and get it done, so I'm please that we've got the exact type of striker that we believe we need to compliment the strikers that we already have here.

"We know he's a good player. What we wanted was an experienced striker who can help the young strikers that we have. He knows where to be and when to be there. He's got an eye for goal, he's aggressive, he's pacey and he has knowhow."

Kane Hemmings has joined Tranmere from Burton Albion for an undisclosed fee

The arrival of Hemmings appears on the face of it to have left Mellon with more forwards than he actually needs, but after confirming that Stephen Walker has returned to parent club Middlesbrough, Nicky Maynard is injured and Paul Glatzel only on loan from Liverpool, it leaves the Scot with four permanent strikers including new arrival Hemmings.

Mellon added: "If you look at the make up of these strikers, they just need a wee bit of experience beside them. But also, us as a team, I believe needed a wee but more knowhow at that end of the pitch as well, because we want to score more goals.

"That's the reason why we've done what we've done. We've got plenty of potential on the the pitch that at the moment is delivering, but we need a bit more experience in and around that and Hemmings should bring that."

Mellon has been forced to juggle his pack somewhat in recent weeks, with coronavirus cases disrupting his selection options.

There is better news this week however, as the Prenton Park boss confirmed that Callum McManaman and Nat Knight-Percival have now both recovered from the virus and Kieron Morris is also available for selection this weekend.

Elliot Nevitt, who was forced off against Salford City after taking a heavy kick to the calf, has trained today and will hope to be included in the first team squad.

The capture of Hemmings has already excited fans ahead of the visit of 17th-placed Rochdale to Prenton Park on Saturday and Mellon believes that the knowledge of the Super White Army has played a pivotal role in the club's current climb up the table and will be crucial in the club's assault on a third promotion in five seasons.

He added: "The Tranmere fans know how to support their team and they know when we need them. There's a lot of experience in the fan base. They understand the part that they play in order to us to try and get results.

"When we need them they will rise and we know what the impact is on us.

"It's about positivity and not help the other team by going against the team. And we never get that here. I've seen that at other places. We don't get that.

"When I first came here there used to be a thing that you keep it quiet for the first 20 minutes and then the fans will turn on them. That doesn't happen here (anymore).

"It's terrific that we have that togetherness and probably because of the successes that we have have had, the supporters understand the part that they play in it. It's brilliant to be apart of.

"I hope it continues because that's what we need. We need positivity between the 11 players on the pitch and the twelfth man in the stands. That's how we get results here.

"It's a tough ask to try and beat that and we'll continue to do that."

Tranmere Rovers v Rochdale kicks off at 3pm on Saturday, January 15. Get instant updates from the game with the Globe's live match blog from Prenton Park.