Tranmere boss Ray Mathias has suffered a blow ahead of the clash with Plymouth at Prenton Park with the news that Andy Parkinson has ankle ligament damage.

The 23-year-old striker suffered the injury playing in a match between the reserves and the youth team on Thursday, and is expected to be out for up to five weeks.

Fellow striker Simon Haworth returns after a four-match ban, while midfielder Jason Price is in contention after having the cast removed from his broken arm.

Defender Kevin Gray is fully fit after a calf strain, while Micky Mellon has recovered from illness, but Adam Proudlock and Shane Nicholson have been struck down by the same illness and are doubtful.

Plymouth goalkeeper Luke McCormick is set to retain his place in the starting line-up.

McCormick, 19, is deputising for injured French number one Romain Larrieu, who has dislocated a finger.