Garnett's hope for new pros; ROVERFLOW Nick Hilton's.

Byline: Nick Hilton

YOUTH coach Shaun Garnett hopes the trio of freshly graduated professionals at Prenton Park can match the progress of this season's new boys Aaron Cresswell and Terry Gornell.

Tranmere have added three first-year pros to the squad for next season: the versatile Ash Taylor, midfielder Ryan Fraughan and striker Josh Macauley.

The two teenagers who tur ned professional a year ago, Cresswell and Gornell, broke into the first team this season, each making more than a dozen senior appearances .

Garnett said: "Aaron and Terry showed they could adjust to the demands of first team football and as a result they have earned two-year contracts.

"When young players first go into the first-team it's a question of sink or swim and those two have benefited from working with the manager and Peter Shirtliff.

" They have kicked on. What's important for them now is putting games under their belts." Taylor, a local boy from Bromborough, who has been with Rovers since age 11, spent several months of this season on loan with Uni-Bond League part-timers Colwyn Bay.

Garnett said: "Ash is six-feet-four, has good ability in both feet and is tactically aware. He's played as a central midfielder this season but can also play centre back.

"We sent him to Colwyn Bay to improve his physical attributes and to show him how competitive senior football can be.

"The fact that former Tranmere players like Gary Jones, Dave Challinor and Graham Branch are at Colwyn Bay meant that Ronnie Moore knew Ash would be surrounded by good professionals. They are able to give Ash an education on the pitch." Central midfielder Fraughan is from

Liverpool.

Garnett said: "Ryan's strength is going forward and he has bags of ability. He is left footed and can open up defences because he's clever on the ball and quick." Macauley scored 29 goals for the reserve and youth teams this season, the majority of them at the junior level.

Garnett said: "Josh has worked hard at his game and still has plenty to learn.

"What Josh has to show next season is that the can score goals in the reserves on a more regular basis. He managed four in 16 games this season.

" It all adds up to a satisfying season for the trio of full-time professionals who drive Tranmere's youth development operation - Warwick Rimmer, Kenny Shiels and Shaun Garnett..