Tranmere have been hit by more positive Covid cases as they prepare for the visit of Keith Hill's Scunthorpe United on Saturday.

But with other players returning, boss Micky Mellon believes that he will be able to manage his squad to ensure that the fixture goes ahead as planned.

Two players known to have caught the virus are Calum McManaman - who is currently serving a suspension - and Nat Knight-Percival - who is returning from injury - but Mellon was reluctant to mention any other names ahead of matchday.

Speaking in his weekly press conference, he said: "We've got a few more (Covid cases) this week and we've got a few more back, but we should be able to play. That's what I believe every football club should try and do.

"We couldn't have played the last couple of games, we just didn't have the bodies and we didn't have any goalkeepers, so that would have been tough!

"But we won't ask for any pity. We'll go out there with a team that we believe can keep us moving forward.

"It's frustrating for the lads (who can't play) because it hasn't even touched them. Some of them don't even have a symptom. But we have to be respectful of this virus and make sure that we do everything that we are told to do."

One player who looks set to be available for selection is incoming winger Josh McPake, who has joined the squad on loan from Scottish Champions Rangers this week, until the end of the season.

The 20-year-old scored against Rovers at Prenton Park last season, when on loan at Harrogate Town and is a player that Mellon rates highly.

He said: "I'm very pleased to get him in. Rangers have told us - and I agree - he is one of the best talents at the football club outside of the first team group. They want to try and get him in and among that.

"He'll come here and we'll try and help with his development, as we do with all of the other loan players.

"He adds variety and a different type of threat in wide areas and we will need that in the coming games."

Mellon poured cold water on rumours that Josh Hawkes was about to be recalled to parent club Sunderland, insisting that he has had no contact from the North East outfit.

One player who's Tranmere career is over however, is Mark Duffy, who has left the club after his six month contract expired.

Striker Paul Glatzel is now back in full training and is likely to be included in Saturday's match day squad.

Scunthorpe will arrive in Birkenhead under the stewardship of former Tranmere manager Keith Hill, who was sacked by Mark Palios on the eve of the promotion play-offs last season.

Hill will unquestionably feel that he has a point to prove on his first return to Prenton Park since his exit, but Mellon said: "In football there's two sides to everything. We have a point to prove as well.

"We need to win. We want to win and we'll concentrate on us. They've beaten us before over at Scunthorpe so we know the threat.

"We need a valuable three points, so it should make for a terrific game."

Tranmere Rovers v Scunthorpe United takes place at Prenton Park on Saturday, January 8, kick off 3pm. Follow the Globe's live match blog for updates throughout the match.