PREVIEW | Tranmere Rovers v Swindon Town

SWINDON TOWN will aim to close the gap to the playoffs this afternoon as they travel to Tranmere Rovers seeking a second consecutive away win of 2019. Total Sport Swindon’s Ryan Walker previews the League Two fixture.

A dramatic result in the reverse encounter earlier in the season saw Swindon comeback from two first-half goals to win 3-2 at the County Ground courtesy of a Joe Romanski winner. 

And with just five points now separating 9th placed Tranmere from 12th placed Swindon in the league standings there is every chance this rematch could be just as entertaining. 

Team news for each side sees Swindon reinforced after making two permanent signings earlier this week in the shape of former League Two trophy winner Danny Rose and defender Tom Broadbent, but it remains to be seen if either will make the trip due to EFL and FA paperwork restrictions. 

Loanee striker Ben House looks set to return to the Robins matchday squad with manager Richie Wellens revealing that the 19-year-old re-joined full training with the team, however Toumani Diagouraga and Olly Lancashire both remain out injured.   

For the hosts, Micky Mellon looks set to start new signing Ishmael Miller after scoring on his debut in the team’s 3-1 win over Cheltenham Town last weekend. 

Attacking forward Connor Jennings looks set to make his return from injury after taking part in training throughout the week, but defender Mark Ellis looks doubtful to play due to a stiff neck.

Suffering just one home League defeat all season combined with a recent run of results that see’s the Merseyside based team unbeaten in their last five league fixtures makes for daunting reading for STFC fans. 

In contrasting form, Swindon have won just one of their last six matches, however, the new signings made by Richie Wellens could be crucial as the Robins continue to creep slowly up the league table.

A strong attacking line-up from Tranmere Rovers consisting of the league's top scorer James Norwood, 17 goals this season, means that Swindon can be expected to be on the back foot for large parts of the game as Wellens instructs his players to play quick and effective counter-attacking football. 

The outcome of this match could be the difference between playoffs or mid-table mediocrity for both sides this season, so let’s just hope it’s as entertaining as it was the last time these two teams met each other.