Tranmere Rovers manager Micky Mellon is relishing the start of the Checkatrade Trophy campaign and feels the tournament will bring several positives for his players and the Club.
Following a run of three League Two games unbeaten after Saturday’s hard fought point at Northampton, Rovers return to action on Tuesday night when they host Crewe Alexandra under the floodlights at Prenton Park.
Mellon’s men have been drawn into Group D of the tournament’s Northern section, which also consists of League One side Shrewsbury Town and Manchester City’s U21 side.
“It’s a great opportunity and get another game of football under our belts so it’s certainly something that we are taking very seriously,” Mellon said.
“I think it is a fantastic tournament. It is another opportunity for us to play football.”
With the competition predominantly made up of third and fourth tier teams, Mellon is embracing the prospect of his side testing themselves against different opposition from League One, League Two and Category One Academy.
With the final to be staged under the famous Wembley arch next March, Mellon believes his players and the Rovers supporters should use a potential third visit in as many seasons as motivation to go all the way in the Checkatrade Trophy.
The Scot concluded: “It’s against teams from our level, at the end of it the prize is fantastic, and it’s a trip to Wembley.
“You have to be responsible for the fans, you have to respect that and to be given the opportunity to do that, you have to work very hard to try and do that, so we are taking it very seriously.”
Tickets for the game are still on sale and they are priced at just £5 for adults and £1 for concessions. To purchase tickets online for the game, please click here.