TRANMERE return to action after the international break on Friday night with a trip to Cheltenham buoyed by their recent victories over Newport and Stockport County.

The Robins are currently sitting in 17th place in the League Two table, while Rovers are one point adrift in 19th position.

Rovers have bounced back from three straight defeats in all competitions to claim back-to-back victories over Newport County and Stockport County in the league and EFL Trophy respectively.

And boss Nigel Adkins is hoping that the momentum gained from these wins is not lost after last Saturday's game against Fleetwood was postponed due to international call ups.

"We've had two good victories but we couldn't do anything about Fleetwood having their players called up so those are the cards you're dealt and you have to play them the best you can," said Adkins. 

"We've worked hard and tried to make sure we've got everything right to prepare for Cheltenham."

Adkins used the EFL Trophy game to give some of his squad players valuable minutes and as a result feels he has some more options to consider. 

"It's been brilliant because we have a camaraderie among the players," he said.

"Kristian Dennis, Josh Hawkes and Sam Taylor all did brilliantly and they're getting back to the levels they need to be at. 

"Declan Drysdale has been out since pre-season and he had his first 45 minutes and he looked really assured at the back. And you can't leave out Joe Murphy showing that age is not a barrier - what a role model for every young professional - his calmness, his clarity, his communication and decision making - you cannot speak highly enough of him."

Up front for Rovers, Connor Jennings will look to continue his impressive run of form after scoring three goals in Tranmere's last four matches in all competitions.

"Connor was great in that second striker role last year but because of the strikers we've brought in he's been playing on the flanks," said Adkins.

"Now I've got him back in that second striker role but he could also drop in behind and do some of those things that people might not see and appreciate.

"He's been great and he's scored three goals and he's just had a new baby so he's got a smile on his face and he's grafting. I can't speak highly enough about him."

Adkins confirmed that the central midfield trio of Saidou Khan, Brad Walker, and Regan Hendry will miss the game through injury.

As for Cheltenham, Adkins is an admirer of their manager Michael Flynn who was boss at Newport County when Tranmere beat the Welsh club in the 2019 League Two play off final. 

"He is excellent," said Adkins. "He is inventive with what he does, his team is very hard-working and they're very productive in what they do.

"With set-pieces you've always got to expect something out of the ordinary and they get the ball forward with threats across the team so we are aware of that.

"They're at home, they have a way of playing and whoever the opposition is he will want to win because he's a competitor but likewise I'm the Tranmere manager and I want Tranmere to win every single game that we play and we go down to Cheltenham looking to do that."