Preview: Tranmere (A)

Wanderers head to Tranmere’s Prenton Park for the third time in four seasons on Tuesday night for a second round Capital One Cup tie.



Indeed, it was at this stage of the competition in the 2009/10 season when Gary Megson’s Bolton side edged past the Merseysiders by the solitary Mark Davies goal, his first for the club. 

Just three players from that matchday squad in August 2009 are still present in Bolton’s current ranks. The aforementioned Mark Davies, as well as Chung-Yong Lee and now-club captain Zat Knight.

Wanderers also played at Prenton Park in a pre-season friendly in the summer of 2012, as Benik Afobe bagged an impressive second-half hat-trick to seal victory.



It is unlikely that Chris Eagles will be risked, as he continues to progress from a recent ankle injury sustained on the opening day at Burnley.

Youngster Samni Odelusi, goalscorer in the previous round at Shrewsbury, could be given the nod to feature from the off.

Andrew Lonergan, Andre Moritz, Tyrone Mears, Matt Mills and Craig Davies are all also in line to feature in some capacity.

Darren Pratley is available for selection after serving a one-match ban for his dismissal at Nottingham Forest.f



Experienced Welsh midfielder Jason Koumas is the man we have selected to watch out for ahead of Tuesday’s cup clash on the Wirral.

Koumas began his career at Prenton Park in 1998 and went on to make 150 appearances for Rovers beforea big money move to Premier League outfit West Brom in 2002.

Renowned for his passing ability, Koumas joined Bolton’s neighbours Wigan Athletic in 2007 and spent a brief time back in his native land at Cardiff City.

The 33-year-old returned to his first employers at the beginning of the season, and came off the bench last weekend against Peterborough.



League One outfit Tranmere Rovers will be looking for an immediate reaction following their thumping 5-0 defeat at home to Darren Ferguson’s Peterborough United.

Rovers are a mainstay in the third tier of English football, following their relegation from the Championship, then known as Division One in 2001.

The club looked on course for a return to the second tier last season after a superb start, which saw them at the summit of the table for long periods, however a dip in form saw Ronnie Moore’s side finish in 11th, seven points off the Play-Offs. 



Staffordshire-based official Stephen Martin will take charge of Tuesday’s game.

He has so far overseen four games this season and is yet to show a card of any kind.

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