Setting the scene…
Tranmere Rovers return to Emirates FA Cup action at Prenton Park on Sunday when they host Merseyside neighbours Southport in the second-round, kick-off 2pm.
Looking to bounce back from Tuesday night’s 5-2 defeat away to Grimsby Town at Blundell Park, attentions now turn towards welcoming Southport to the Wirral, with a place in the third-round and a possibly tie against a Premier League side up for grabs.
Overcoming Oxford City away from home in a replay 2-0 just over a week ago through goals from top scorer James Norwood and strike-partner Paul Mullin, it’s Non-League opposition again for Rovers.
Southport will make the journey across Merseyside having beaten Farsley, Curzon Ashton, Ashton United and Boreham Wood to reach the second-round stage.
Team news
Ollie Banks and Steve McNulty may be available for this weekend's game, confirmed Micky Mellon in his pre-match press conference. Otherwise, the manager doesn't have any further injury concerns.
The Port’s season so far
Southport head to Birkenhead on Sunday for the Emirates FA Cup second-round tie at Tranmere having struggled in the National League North this season.
Currently sitting 18th in the sixth-tier of English football, the Port are winless this season at home in the league this season, but have won four games away from Haig Avenue, enjoying better success in the Cup competitions.
One to watch
Attacking midfielder Dion Charles is the Southport player who Tranmere’s defence need to watch when the two teams meet on Sunday.
The Preston-born 23-year-old began his playing career in the youth set-up Blackpool, penning professional terms at Bloomfield Road before moving to AFC Fylde in 2014.
During two years at the then National League North side, Charles scored 18 goals in 52 appearances whilst on the books of The Coasters.
Charles form at Non-League level saw him earn a transfer to his third Fylde Coast club, Fleetwood Town in the summer of 2016, making his debut in an EFL Trophy tie against Carlisle United.
He was loaned to FC Halifax Town in 2017/18, turning out 19 times at The Shay before the former Northern Ireland U21 international signed for Southport in January 2018.
He leads their goal scoring charts with six goals this season.
Match coverage
If you are unable to make TRFC’s Emirates FA Cup second-round tie at home to Southport on Sunday, don’t worry as there are several ways that you can keep up to date with all the goings on at Prenton Park, you won’t miss a kick!
You can now sign up to Tranmere Rovers’ iFollow, which allows access to extended highlights and interviews with manager Mellon and a player, after the game.
To sign up, click here
Alternatively, you can follow the action through our social media channels below, with full text coverage during the fixture, followed by a match report.
Twitter: @tranmererovers
Facebook: @trfcofficial
Instagram: @tranmererovers