Tranmere Rovers welcome back midfielder Sam Finley as they make the long trip to Bromley on Saturday looking for their first league win in five matches.
The 32-year-old hasn’t featured since the start of the season after being handed a 13-game ban for making a homophobic comment to an opposition player.
Manager Andy Crosby stressed that while Finley has served his punishment, he is under no illusions about the responsibility that comes with wearing the Tranmere shirt.
“We’ve had to be careful integrating him back into regular training, but we’ve managed that well,” said Crosby.
“Sam’s more than aware of our club’s stance, and how he’s perceived after what he said and how he acted.
“He has a responsibility to the club, to young fans watching him, and to himself to conduct himself properly on and off the pitch. He knows that.”
Neither side are coming into this game with great form. Bromley are placed in 14th and are without a win in four, having suffered a 2–0 defeat away to Swindon Town last weekend.
Rovers fought for a goalless draw at home to Cambridge United last weekend. This was their third clean sheet of the season but they continue to struggle to find the target at the other end of the pitch.
Crosby knows his team must improve in the final third if they are to turn performances into points.
“We have to try and sustain more attacks and be more effective in possession,” said the Rovers boss, who is contending with a long injury list early in the season.
“We’ve got seven players unavailable. We can’t even arrange a behind-closed-doors game because we don’t have enough players and don’t want to risk the fit ones.”
Regardless, Tranmere will be feeling optimistic from their recent record against Bromley after doing the double over them last season. But Crosby knows this Bromley side, managed by Andy Woodman, presents a clear tactical challenge.
He said: “They want to play the ball and play the game — ideally in their final third. But we’re aware of what Bromley want to do with the ball and how far they try to press.”
After scoring 25 goals last season, Bromley’s star man Michael Cheek will look to be the main threat. Crosby said: “We’re aware of his strengths, obviously, and how effective he was for them last season, and what supply he needs to be effective.”
A tough fixture awaits both sides at Hayes Lane, but all eyes will be on Finley both for how he performs, and how he handles the scrutiny on his return after such a lengthy ban.
