FOR the first time this season, Tranmere Rovers player-manager John Aldridge has a selection dilemma for Saturday's Prenton Park meeting with Stoke City in the Nationwide League Division One (kick-off 3pm).

Mr Aldridge made his first start of the season on Saturday when he scored the winner at Bradford City, but with 10-goal David Kelly back from World Cup duty with the Republic of Ireland, the Rovers player-manager seems set to return to the bench.

Midfielder Gary Jones returns from a one match suspension, leaving Mr Aldridge with a selection headache he welcomes considering the recent injury crisis. He also faces an intriguing dilemma of who to play in goal against Stoke. Danny Coyne still remains a doubt with a groin problem. Stand-in Steve Simonsen was outstanding on his debut at Bradford, fully vindicating Mr Aldridge's gamble in picking him less than 24 hours after the promising 'keeper played for England Under-18s in a European Championship qualifier against Russia.

Said Mr Aldridge: "Steve has done very well indeed. He's a confident lad with a tremendous attitude and one day he could be England Number One!"

Making his first start of the season at Bradford, it was surely no coincidence the player-manager headed the winner. He may be 39, but he was the inspiration on the field and a prime example to his team. He chased defenders and his touch was outstanding.

He revealed it was pressure from his wife Joan and son Paul, as well as Chief Scout Dave Philpotts, to recall himself. He added: "I enjoyed the goal, we hit Bradford well on the break and it was good to get off the mark. I still get a big buzz from scoring, but I'm too tired to celebrate afterwards!"

Mr Aldridge hopes Tranmere can build on Saturday's first away win of the season and climb the table. "Hopefully, we've buried the ghost and mental block away from home and I hope we've turned the corner," he told me. "We've got to defend well week in, week out now."

Chic Bates is the new man at the helm of Stoke after stepping up to succeed Lou Macari, who resigned during the Summer. Stoke include former Liverpool and Tottenham striker Paul Stewart.

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