Free role comes with a price for Shuker.

Byline: NICK HILTON

CARETAKER manager Les Parry is keen to encourage Chris Shuker to pay his contribution to the team ethic while playing a "free" role for Tranmere.

The diminutive winger has been a bright spark in Rovers' last two games while operating in a floating role across the front line.

Shuker notched Tranmere's FA Cup equaliser in the 1-1 draw with Leyton Orient last Saturday and marked his return to the side the previous weekend by coming off the bench to score in the 4-1 defeat by Swindon Town.

But while Parry says he appreciates Shuker's creative value to the side, he is also concerned that the 27-year-old from Huyton accepts the defensive responsibilities that come with a place in the 4-3-3 set up.

Parry said: "Shukes is always going to be suited to a free role because he likes to do what he wants to do.

"You need a player with a key that can open doors to the opposition defence for us - and he did that last Saturday.

"Shukes got on the end of two good chances before the one he scored, so it really could have been a hat-trick.

"But there will be times when we need him to be a little bit more disciplined than he was last Saturday. There are going to be times, away from home when we are under the cosh, when we can't afford people to do what they want to do."

Parry left Shuker out of the starting line-up soon after he took control of team affairs following the sacking of John Barnes back on October 9. Shuker was recalled to the starting XI when Parry shook up the side following the heavy defeat to Swindon Town - the one team performance in five that disappointed the long-serving physiotherapist.

Parry added: "To be fair, Shukes is an out-and-out winger and in that role you go where you want and hopefully produce openings for others. The way we are playing at the moment, we are a little bit more regimented than that. Everyone needs to know their role and what to expect from other players.

"That's a little bit difficult for Shukes because he does tend to roam.

"The front three have a lot of defensive responsibility in the system we are playing.

"That's one of the reasons why Michael Ricketts tired towards the end of last Saturday's game.

"He was closing down Orient's centre-halves.

"When you're under more pressure away from home, it is important that we stop the opposition back from getting the ball and spraying it all over the place."

* TRANMERE'S next three games will be on the road. They make the long trip to Carrow Road for a League One fixture against Norwich City on Saturday, then face two visits to Orient in the space of five days. They play their FA Cup first round replay at Brisbane Road on November 17, then return for a League One fixture on November 21.

Tranmere youth learn vital lessons as they miss out in cup Stockport Youth ....... 3 Tranmere Youth ....... 2 HEAD of youth Kenny Shiels says Tranmere's youngsters learned some valuable lessons from their defeat at Stockport in the Puma Youth Alliance League Cup.

Rovers went out of the competition at the group stage after surrendering a two-goal lead.

The visitors looked to be in control when they went 2-0 up thanks to strikes by Dale Jennings on 14 minutes and Ross Rule three minutes later.

But Stockport began a fightback by scoring just before half-time.

Rovers then buckled in the face of strong secondhalf pressure from the hosts and conceded goals on 77 and 86 minutes.

Shiels said: "The boys were disappointed to lose in the way they did but it was an important learning day for them.

"They were in total control during most of the first-half, playing fastflowing football. But there is more to the game and playing well when you are on top. When the momentum of the game turned against them, they found it is one of the hardest things to get it back again. It was a lesson about closing a game up when you are on top and grinding out a result."

* TRANMERE travel to Walsall in a Youth Alliance League fixture on Saturday.

CAPTION(S):

Tranmere Rovers winger Chris Shuker