TRANMERE Rovers face a second game at home this week as they prepare to entertain Bradford City at Prenton Park on Saturday. 

Rovers had an encouraging 2-1 win over Accrington Stanley in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy on Tuesday evening in a game which gave boss Nigel Adkins the opportunity to welcome back a number of players from injury as well as giving game time to his fringe players.

"It's a good thing when we look at the strength of the squad," said Adkins. "Earlier on in the season we could only get four on the bench but now we have players coming back.

"I purposely wanted a small squad so players feel involved and everyone does feel involved and with that competition for places it drives performance and we're certainly moving in the right direction.

"We were frustrated when we had injuries but we had to deal with it and we have dealt with it - we've lost two games this season and arguably you could say we were very good in both.

"It's a long season but we've got a group of guys who are pulling in the same direction."

With only five goals scored in the league this season, Adkins is especially grateful to welcome back Josh Hawkes and Sam Taylor to the fold.

"They're going to add that bit more pace and Josh is always a threat when he drifts in off the right hand side," said Adkins.

"We're getting the ball in the right areas of the pitch as good as anybody but we just need to convert a bit more so our focus has been on the type of cross we are doing and can we improve the delivery and can we disrupt the opposition a bit more."

Graham Alexander's Bradford come to Prenton Park on Saturday fresh from a 2-1 win over Newport County on Monday which took the Bantams up to ninth in the table.

"Bradford get the ball into the box a lot from crosses and you have to deal with the threat," said Adkins. "Andy Cook is a big threat so we've worked on that and how we can defend it and helping the centre halves prepare for the game.

"It will be a good game at the weekend and should be a great atmosphere back at Penton Park - they're in good form and get the ball forward and we've got to deal with it.

"Graham was a great pro and is a good person. Bradford are tough, competitive and hard to play against and he has a formation that he's really pleased with and we need to be mindful of that. 

"He's had a good managerial career and we know it'll be good game. I've got upmost respect for Graham and we both share the experience of managing Scunthorpe."