Tranmere Rovers manager Keith Hill is expecting a “difficult” game when Harrogate Town visit Prenton Park in Sky Bet League Two on Tuesday night.
TRFC will be aiming for a third straight win at home after back-to-back victories over Forest Green Rovers and Bolton Wanderers which saw them climb just two points from the top seven.
Simon Weaver’s Sulphurites head to the Wirral having picked up draws against Salford City and Exeter City in their previous two matches.
And Hill is expecting the North Yorkshire outfit to pose a difficult challenge for his Rovers squad.
Hill said: “We have got good technical players, but we have to play the other side of the game as well, so the balance at this moment in time, I’m really impressed with the players’ application and it will be a really difficult game against Harrogate.
“We have got to continue to work hard in the remaining games that we have got, starting with Harrogate, because the number one requirement is to be competitive, to try hard and to give your best as a starter, as a substitute, as a squad player to make sure that we are all contributing when and necessary for the success of Tranmere Rovers, and it won’t be any different against Harrogate on Tuesday.
“You have to respect your opponent, always respect individual opponents, the management and the football club that you are playing against. You have to go to battle, and I’m expecting my players to go to battle and our team is prepared to go into a physical battle.”
Hill is looking forward to working with new recruit Charlie Jolley, who signed permanently from Wigan Athletic, while also thanking Stefan Payne for his efforts at the Club following on from his departure to Grimsby Town.
He added: “He (Jolley) is brilliant and young with energy. He wants to improve and wants to play first team football. We’re going to give him the opportunity to develop him and integrate him as quickly as possible as we can.
“I think it is a great signing and acquisition by the Football Club, and we are planning for the future as well.
“An opportunity came for Stefan Payne and he took it, and we thank him for what he has done for Tranmere.”