Brentford V Tranmere at Griffin Park : Match Preview

18 January 2013 15:31
Brentford V Tranmere - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Bees buzzing for Rovers visit

Brentford have no new injury worries for the visit of leaders Tranmere.

But Kevin O'Connor and Farid El Alagui are still on the sidelines for the third-placed Bees.

Midfielder O'Connor is out for the long-term with an ankle injury and striker El Alagui is recovering from a knee problem.

Full-back Shaleum Logan and forward Marcello Trotta could return to the starting line-up after starting on the bench in Tuesday night's 2-1 FA Cup win over Southend, which secured an all-west London fourth-round tie against holders Chelsea.

Trotta last week agreed to extend his loan spell at Griffin Park from Fulham until the end of the season.

Captain James Wallace remains Tranmere's only injury absentee.

The former Everton midfielder has been sidelined by a medial knee ligament injury since the start of December and missed a projected return date of Boxing Day.

"It could be two more weeks, it could be three weeks," Rovers boss Ronnie Moore told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"It would be nice if we're still where we are, or in and around that top-six area, when he's fit. He might just come back at the right time for us."

Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro made his first start in attack since returning from a broken metatarsal when Tranmere went down 1-0 at Coventry on Wednesday night.

The result left the Wirral outfit top of the league on goal difference from Doncaster having played a game more and four points clear of the Bees in third, although Uwe Rosler's men have two games in hand.

Source: PA