BELEAGURED Tranmere Rovers Player-manager John Aldridge is facing possibly the sternest test yet of his managerial career. With half his first team out injured, the 39-year-old scoring legend looks set to bring himself out of semi-retirement for Saturday's equally daunting trip to Stockport.

As the list of injured players reaches crisis proportions, Mr Aldridge has been told by his Board that there is no money available to bring in re-inforcements.

And, as if to underline the fact that Lady Luck has temporarily deserted Prenton Park, Rovers missed out on a money-spinning 'plum' tie in Sunday's televised FA Cup third round draw.

Instead of drawing a big name Premier League club at home, Tranmere must travel to either Third Division Colchester United or Vauxhall Conference club Hereford United on Saturday, January 3.

Gates at Prenton Park have fallen to just over the 5,000 mark and Mr Aldridge knows he may have to swap some players in order to bring in new faces to bolster his injury-hit squad.

Rovers have no fewer than FIVE first team regulars out of action for Saturday's trip to face Stockport County at Edgeley Park (kick-off 3pm).

Striker David Kelly and Lee Jones, with 20 goals between them this season, both had surgery on their knee cartilages on Sunday and are likely to be out of action until the New Year. Left back Andy Thompson was due to see a specialist over a cartilage problem and may be out of action for a number of weeks. Centre-half Andy Thorn (knee) and goalkeeper Danny Coyne (groin) are still some weeks from a return to competitive action.

Reflected a frustrated Mr Aldridge: "It's a massive blow to lose half of our team, but unfortunately there's no money available. With gates of just 5,000, that's the reason players like Middlesbrough's Derek Whyte couldn't come here. We just can't afford to bring players in and pay their wages. There are players who I know, and who respect me, who would love to come here, but we just can't justify their wages. I'm still trying hard to bring someone in on loan and we've tried every avenue, but managers don't like loaning players.

"It's not ideal, but I'm going to have to play more regularly myself as we need experience in attack."

Saturday's trip to Stockport sees Rovers facing a re-union with old boys, goalkeeper Eric Nixon and midfielder Paul Cook, who has been a revelation, scoring some spectacular goals since his £250,000 move from Prenton Park in October.

Mr Aldridge insisted: "It's irrelevant playing against Eric and Paul Cook - it's just another game to me. Stockport are a very difficult side to play against, especially at home, but we'll be up for it!"

Mr Aldridge felt Rovers did not deserve to win Saturday's 1-1 draw with Ipswich, but declared the Prenton Park pitch the "poorest in the Nationwide League Division One."

He explained: "It is cutting up badly and is stopping our passing game. There's nothing we can do about the sand and drainage problem until the end of the season. It was the same last season, we've just got to get on with it."

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