Tranmere v Southampton preview

Team news ahead of Saturday's League One clash between Tranmere Rovers and Southampton at Prenton Park.

Tranmere boss Les Parry remains without a trio of players. Tim Cathalina, Max Blanchard and Ian Goodison (knee) remain sidelined through injury but Marlon Broomes comes back into contention after a recent calf strain. Broomes came through Wednesday night's reserve game unscathed and Parry remains keen to bolster his squad with a new midfielder before the transfer window closes. Rovers are again embroiled in a relegation dogfight and lie just one place above the League One drop zone. Parry said: "We're still looking to bring this elusive midfielder in. We've got a lad who's over for a week from Ireland with us. "He'll be training with us all week and we'll have a little look at him." Southampton hope to welcome back skipper Dean Hammond. The midfielder has missed the last two matches after suffering a calf injury during the FA Cup win over Blackpool a fortnight ago. Adam Lallana also sat out the goalless draw against Notts County last weekend with a leg injury and boss Nigel Adkins is unlikely to risk him yet. Fellow winger Lee Holmes remains a long-term absentee after undergoing knee surgery last month. Lee Barnard is pushing to start his first league match since a hernia operation in November after Saints drew a blank against County. The striker has come off the bench four times since but scored on his only start in the cup success over the Seasiders.