Tranmere manager Mellon expects strike duo to face Manchester United

Posted Saturday, January 25, 2020 by PA

Tranmere manager Micky Mellon expects strike duo Morgan Ferrier and Paul Mullin to be available for the FA Cup fourth-round visit of Manchester United on Sunday.

Ferrier was withdrawn midway through the second half in the win over Watford in the third-round replay on Thursday night, when his replacement Mullin was also replaced before the end of extra-time.

Mullin trained on Friday while Mellon allayed any worries about Ferrier, who is managing an ongoing issue behind his knee, but should be fine to be involved again.

Midfielder Ollie Banks’ quad injury is likely to keep him out of action for another couple of weeks while defensive pair Mark Ellis and Evan Gumbs are also not available.

Manchester United will have defender Victor Lindelof available for the trip to Prenton Park.

The Sweden international missed the midweek loss to Burnley through illness, while Eric Bailly could make his long-awaited return from a knee injury despite the poor pitch quality.

United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is expected to rotate his squad, but is short of a few options.

Marcus Rashford, Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay all remain sidelined, as do Marcos Rojo and Axel Tuanzebe, while Timothy Fosu-Mensah is stepping up his recovery.