Tranmere Rovers vs Cheltenham Town. Sky Bet League Two.
Prenton ParkAttendance6,736.
Friday 10 August 2018 15:03, UK
Tranmere remain without a handful of long-term absentees for the Sky Bet League Two clash with Cheltenham.
Defenders Liam Ridehalgh (knee), Adam Buxton (double hernia) and Evan Gumbs (leg) will miss the game at Prenton Park.
Summer signings Mark Ellis, Harvey Gilmour and Paul Mullin are hoping for debuts after being left on the bench for the opening-day draw at Stevenage. Midfielder Ollie Norburn left Rovers on transfer deadline day, signing for Shrewsbury for an undisclosed fee.
Cheltenham boss Gary Johnson has no fresh selection concerns. Left-back Chris Hussey, signed from Sheffield United, remains out injured, along with fellow summer recruit Sean Long.
Johnson may opt to make changes following last weekend's 1-0 defeat to Crawley. Midfielders Kevin Dawson and Ryan Broom and forward Kalvin Lumbombo Kalala are among the players pushing for starts.
Tranmere have lost each of the last three meetings between these two sides in the EFL; they had lost only two of the seven such encounters in the top four tiers of English football before this run (W3 D2).
Cheltenham have won just one of their five visits to Tranmere in the Football League (D1 L3), however that did come in their last such visit in August 2014, a 3-2 win.
Cheltenham have lost each of their last five league games. They last had a longer run in February 2009 (7).
James Norwood scored twice in Tranmere's season opener against Stevenage, in what was his first appearance in the Football League since November 2010 (for Exeter City v Brighton and Hove Albion.
Cheltenham boss Gary Johnson has won five of his eight previous meetings with Tranmere (L3), though this will be his first game against them with the Robins.
