Tranmere travel to Meadow Lane on Saturday 26th August (3pm) to face Notts County in their fifth Sky Bet League Two game of the season.
Rovers lost 4-3 at home to Salford City last weekend, having led twice in the first half. Connor Jennings netted his first since returning to the Club, and Kristian Dennis was also on the scoresheet for the first time, but Callum Hendry’s hat-trick and a Mathieu Smith strike were too much for the hosts. Charlie Jolley forced home a late consolation, his first goal since coming back from a season-long injury.
Visitors Notts County were thrashed 5-1 by Sutton United in their opening game and followed this up with a defeat against Lincoln City in the Carabao Cup. However, the Magpies have since gone three unbeaten, most recently beating Doncaster Rovers 3-1 on the road.
The 9th-placed side were promoted back to the Football League last term after beating Chesterfield on penalties in a dramatic National League Play-Off final at Wembley. They finished 2nd in the league with a massive 107 points.
Team news:
Ian Dawes told BBC Radio Merseyside: "There's two or three we're going to assess over the next couple of days.
"We know, unfortunately, that Lee O'Connor is going to be out. Harvey Saunders is still out, but there's another couple that will be assessed."
One to watch: Macaulay Langstaff
Saturday’s win over Doncaster marked Macaulay Langstaff’s fourth appearance of the season. He netted his first goal of the new campaign before heading home a second just after the interval.
It’s fair to say there has been pressure on the 26-year-old to deliver in the Magpies’ first season back in the EFL. The forward scored 41 times in 45 National League appearances last term, breaking both club and league records for the most goals in a single campaign.
Before this he was making a name for himself in the National League North, as he helped lift Gateshead into the fifth tier with 28 goals in 39 league games in 2021/22.
In two seasons, Langstaff won back-to-back golden boots and promotions. He was named in the division Team of the Year for both campaigns and won Player of the Season in both. He subsequently signed a contract extension to stay at Meadow Lane until 2027.
As the saying goes, ‘good things come in threes’ - Notts County will certainly be hoping so.
Manager: Luke Williams
Luke Williams is another of the impressive crop of young managers plying their trade in the EFL.
After a short playing career across a few sides in non-league, the 42-year-old spent three years at Brighton and Hove Albion as a development coach, before becoming assistant manager of Swindon Town in 2013.
During the 2015/16 season, Williams replaced Martin Ling as first-team manager following a successful period as interim boss. However, he would go on to leave the Robins the following season.
After spells as assistant manager of Milton Keynes Dons and Swansea City, he joined up with Notts County in June 2022. Promotion to League Two followed, after a campaign which saw the Magpies make a staggering 107 points, eventually beating Chesterfield on penalties in the Play-Off final.
Tickets:
Advance ticket sales for this fixture have ended, but they will be available on the day. Click here to find prices.
Tickets can be collected from Prenton Park until 4pm on Friday, August 25th. They will be available to pick up from Meadow Lane if required.
Official Club Coach travel has sold out for this fixture. Departure time from Prenton Park is 10.30am.
Information on parking, accessibility, food and more can be found here.
Match coverage:
International supporters can buy a season pass to watch every game live for just £3 per game by clicking here!
UK based supporters can listen to full match commentary for as little as £1 per game by getting a monthly audio pass here.
You can follow the action through our social media channels below, with full text coverage during the fixture, followed by a match report.
X: @tranmererovers
Facebook: @trfcofficial
Instagram: @tranmererovers
Match reaction from Ian Dawes and a player will follow on our website and YouTube channel.