COLIN Todd will disappoint a handful of high profile players when he names his team for tomorrow's return clash with Tranmere at Prenton Park. The Wanderers' boss could even have more than £7 million worth of talent on the subs bench!

But, as he planned to make it four wins in five table-turning games, he urged every one of his players to accept the squad system for what it is - essential to the promotion cause.

"There's going to be disappointments," Todd acknowledged. "There are going to be people who won't be happy because they aren't in the starting line-up. But they're going to have to dig deep.

"Their chances will come again because they know as well as I do that we need a strong squad, especially at this time of year with the busy Christmas period coming up.

"I'll pick a team for tomorrow but there's no way I can say the team will be the same next week.

"Players have got to understand that and the one prime example who epitomises the right attitude is Jimmy Phillips.

"He never wavered when I signed Robbie Elliott from Newcastle last season nor when I signed Mike Whitlow after Robbie had been injured. He just told me he'd fight to get his place back and he came through stronger than ever." With Whitlow available again after suspension and Elliott having done well in a solid rearguard action in the 1-1 draw at Wolves, Phillips could be third in the pecking order for the No 3 shirt at Prenton Park.

But much bigger money signings than the £300,000 July 1993 recruit from Middlesbrough could be on the sidelines. Mark Fish was left out at Molineux in favour of loan stars Jon Newsome and Paul Warhurst, who are expected to continue as the centre-back pairing, and record signing Dean Holdsworth is likely to have to stand back again as Todd sticks with the prolific Arnar Gunnlaugsson and Bob Taylor.

Things have changed dramatically for both clubs since the 2-2 draw at the Reebok four weeks ago. Wanderers, who had dropped into mid-table, have played their way solidly and impressively back into fifth place with a run including two wins and a draw away from home while Rovers have dropped back into trouble having lost three successive home games.

"Let's hope we can make it four!" Todd said.

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