Tranmere Rovers
Three In, One Retained on Busy Day at Prenton Park
By Deadly Submarine
January 6 2011
It’s been a busy day at Prenton Park with no fewer than three new faces arriving at the Club and another loan player having his stay extended by another month as Rovers Manager Les parry moves to strengthen his squad for the second half of the season......
Tranmere Manager Les Parry has been busy this Thursday as three new faces arrive at the Club whilst another who is on loan has been retained for a further month as Rovers look to climb away from the relegation fight in the second half of this season.
On-loan West Bromich Albion striker Lateef Elford-Aliyu has had his stay on Merseyside extended by a further month. The former England under-17 international joined Rovers in late November and has made four appearances finishing with a performance against Carlisle Utd on Monday which saw him win Man of the Match awards from sponsors and supporters.
Manager Les Parry said of Aliyu’s extended deal...
“I’m pleased to be able to keep Lateef to the Club. He’s proven his ability since he has been here, has played consistently well and increases our attacking options. I’d like to thank West Bromwich Albion manager Roberto Di Matteo for allowing Lateef to stay with us.”
Lateef Elford Aliyu has had his loan period Extended
Joining Aliyu at Prenton Park today is another loan signing in the shape of young Sunderland defender Michael Kay. The 21 year old joins for a month long loan period and has been a Black Cats player since the age of eight having progressed through the club’s youth system.
Like Lateef Elford-Aliyu, Kay has also represented England at under-17 level and played in every one of the Black Cats’ 21 reserve games last season whilst this season he has spent time on loan at Gateshead.
Manager Les Parry said of the signing of Kay...
“I’m pleased to be able to bring Michael to Tranmere. He’s a talented young defender who has impressed me with his performances for Sunderland’s reserves. With Tim Cathalina and Max Blanchard both carrying injuries, Michael will give us much needed cover at right back. I’d like to thank Sunderland manager Steve Bruce for allowing Michael to join us.”
The final two new faces to arrive in Prenton today are not loan signings but short term deals until the end of the 2010/11 season. Defender Mark McChrystal’s move to Prenton Park has already been well publicised but has today been confirmed by the Club whilst veteran goalkeeper Tony Warner has signed until the end of the season and will bring further experience to the Rovers back-line.
26-year old McChrystal joins from his home town club Derry City where he has spent the last three seasons. He began his career at Wolverhampton Wanderers and has also spent time at Partick Thistle and has been capped by Northern Ireland under-21s on three occasions. He spent two weeks on trial at Prenton Park earlier this season.
Michael Kay from Sunderland has represented England at Under 17 level
Tony Warner meanwhile began his career with Liverpool in 1990 and spent time on loan at Swindon Town, Aberdeen and Celtic before making the permanent move to Millwall in 1999. The 36 year old made more than 200 appearances over four years for the Lions and then spent two seasons at Cardiff City before moving to Fulham and then Hull City. Earlier this season he played in goal for Scunthorpe United in the Championship.
Manager Les Parry said of the two new signings....
“I’m delighted to be able to bring a goalkeeper as experienced as Tony to the Club. He’s a quality goalkeeper who has played in the Premier League and at international level and he will improve our squad. He’s a local lad so won’t need much time to settle in and I look forward to working with him.”
“We brought Mark in the two weeks at the end of October when he trained with us and played in a couple of friendlies. He is an experienced player who was with Wolves for a number of years. He is a leader, he talks and is the type of player other players will look up to. We will now have four experienced centre backs with Mark competing for a place alongside Ian Goodison, Marlon Broomes and Ash Taylor.”
Tony Warner brings experience to the Rovers Goal
All four players will be available for Tranmere’s home game against Walsall on Saturday 8th January with kick off at 3pm.
Meanwhile loan signings Jermaine Grandison and Scott Wootton have now returned to Coventry City and Manchester United respectively and Total Tranmere wishes them well for the future and welcomes the new signings to Prenton Park.
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06/01/2011 17:58
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Blanchard and Taylor can go in the middle, as can Fraughny, who did well earlier this season I thought, especially when he teed up the Mendy goal against Peterborough, as he made a vital contribution and was good.
However another name wouldn't harm, as I doubt a striker will be coming, in lieu of what players are available and then maybe even a slightly increased presence for the lad Stockton too, all things that would signal a greater focus on other areas of the pitch right now.
I sit there with the programme in hand looking at the programme and I'm wondering who the 29 is, I am truly fed up with these loanees, who in the end don't give one for Rovers.
I can't believe that we are even expecting more loanees till the end of season. It's too disruptive and in general doesn't help with the battle for relegation. For example Mantom.
So Les just has to suck it up and get them in
. 