Tranmere Rovers v Harrogate Town: Restored energy levels give Sulphurites grounds for optimism

Warren Burrell in Carabao Cup action against Tranmere Rovers during what was Harrogate Town's first-ever outing as an EFL club. The versatile defender could return at Prenton Park following a one-match ban. Pictures: Matt Kirkham

The Wirral home of Tranmere Rovers is where Simon Weaver’s side first stepped out as an EFL club in a Carabao Cup tie on September 5, claiming a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory following a 1-1 draw.

The exhilaration of that afternoon contrasted markedly with their first league meeting in North Yorkshire in November when Rovers triumphed 1-0 against jaded hosts who saw a flying start to the season catch up with them.

Fortified by a raft of new signings, Harrogate have their trademark energy back and head west this week revitalised in terms of options and buoyed by a late draw at much-fancied Salford City last time out.

Lloyd Kerry netted Town's first EFL goal in September's 1-1 Carabao Cup draw. The midfielder will miss out on Tuesday due to suspension.

Speaking ahead of Tuesday's trip to Tranmere, Weaver said: “Way back in September, we had to put in a great effort to take the game to penalties and win, but we lost when we weren’t quite at it in the league.

“The energy is so important to us and it is how we have achieved what we have.

“We understand there was a dip around the time we played Tranmere at home, but we have had to sort it.

“The incoming players have brought a fresh edge to us in training and in games.

“Lads are now able to take a rest and we can rotate it around a bit more.”

In terms of rotating players into his starting line-up at Prenton Park, the Town boss has confirmed that Warren Burrell is in contention to return at left-back having sat out Friday's 2-2 draw with Salford due to suspension.

Latest signing Simon Power was only fit enough for a place on the bench against the Ammies following an ankle knock, but the winger is now confirmed as being fully-fit.

Weaver's medical team continue to monitor right-back Ryan Fallowfield on a daily basis as he continues his recovery from a bout of Covid-19, while centre-half Will Smith is close, but will not be risked any earlier than Saturday's home clash with Newport County.

Jon Stead, Mark Beck, Dan Jones, Mitch Roberts and Joe Cracknell will all definitely miss out through injury, however, and Lloyd Kerry serves the final game of a three-match ban.

Kick-off against Tranmere on Tuesday is at 7pm.