Moore's men looking to bounce back from Robins rout
Tranmere hope to welcome back captain James Wallace as they look to recover from a chastening evening in Swindon when they host Crewe.
Ronnie Moore's men were thumped 5-0 at the County Ground on Friday night, a result that ultimately ended their long stay at the npower League One summit.
The club posted a statement on their official website after the match confirming that the Rovers squad would be forced to watch a DVD of the game in full at Prenton Park on Sunday morning.
Wallace may offer his team-mates a timely boost in midfield after Moore earmarked the Boxing Day clash with Alex as a potential return date from his medial knee ligament injury.
Donervon Daniel and Michael Kay may push for starts in defence after being introduced at half-time with the score 4-0 at Swindon.
Forward Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro (broken metatarsal) and winger Abdulai Bell-Baggie (lateral knee ligament) remain sidelined.
Ajay Leitch-Smith may come into contention for Crewe.
Leitch-Smith has been sidelined by an ankle problem since the Railwaymen's 2-0 defeat at Portsmouth in November, but has returned to full training and boss Steve Davis will assess his match fitness.
Abdul Osman is available once more in midfield following a minor knee injury, however Ollie Turton (thigh) and goalkeeper Steve Phillips (ankle/shin) miss out.
Alex are chasing a third consecutive league win for the first time this season after back-to-back triumphs over Preston and Bury.
They were denied the opportunity to make it three in a row on Saturday when the home clash with in-form Bournemouth was postponed after a torrential downpour left the Gresty Road playing surface waterlogged.
Source: PA
Source: PA