Tranmere Rovers suffered the disappointment of having their trip to Doncaster Rovers postponed, however a break could have done Rovers the world of good after an indifferent start to the new year.
Fresh faces have had the chance to settle into the squad and this is bound to have an impact, as they begin to gell.
Leyton Orient have suffered a plummet in confidence after Saturday’s crushing 3-0 defeat to Stevenage in a top of the table clash, but the O’s remain in poll position in League Two.
With Orient aiming for a spot in the third tier once more after an eight year exile, a lot has changed on and off the pitch.
From poor ownership to several managers and even a stint in the Vanarama National League, the O's look to be back on their feet and sit two points clear at the summit, with Stevenage breathing down their necks and the fortune of a game in hand.
Form has been mixed for both in their last five outings, but in the first meeting of the campaign between the two, Orient ran out 2-0 winners at the Breyer Group Stadium. Tranmere will be looking to restore parity in the reverse fixture and the East London outfit are keen to complete the double and continue their push for promotion.
Team news
Tranmere
Brad Walker, a new signing arriving from Port Vale, could be handed his full debut at home as Micky Mellon stated he's brought him in for competition in the midlield places, although the midfield two of Chris Merrie and Lee O'Connor had their praises sung by Mellon after the draw against Walsall.
"I thought the two midfield players were excellent,” he said.
New loan signing Logan Chalmers - arriving from Dundee United - is in the pipeline for his Rovers debut, replacing either Kane Hemmings or Jake Burton. The most likely outcome, if Chalmers plays, will be the Scot up-front with top scorer, Hemmings.
Joel Mumbongo, who was took off injured towards the end of the first half against Walsall, could be back to start.
Leyton Orient
The O’s will be without Tom James, who serves his second of his three game ban following a straight red card in the game against Barrow, and the Swiss, Idris El Mizouni, will only serve a one game ban after seeing red in Saturday’s defeat to Stevenage.
In that Stevenage game, Harry Thompson was replaced in the first half. Whether it was tactical - meaning he could feature against Rovers - or injured so he wouldn’t be in contention, remains to be seen.
Likely lineups
Tranmere Rovers
Hewelt; Dacres-Cogley, Davies, Turnbull, Bristow; Morris, O’Connor, Merrie, Hawkes; Hemmings, Chalmers
Leyton Orient
Vigouroux; Hunt, Brown, Thompson, James; Sotiriou, Pratley, Moncur; Archibald, Drinan, Smyth.
Key players
Josh Hawkes
After his performnace against Walsall, where he looked a costant threat going forward, Josh Hawkes could prove pivotal down the wing if Tranmere are looking to return to winning ways on Saturday.
Hawkes has netted six times in 24 outings for Rovers and twice in Tranmere's previous two outings - the free-kick against Walsall and a curling shot against Sutton United.
Leyton Orient will have to be at their best to keep him quiet.
Paul Smyth
A real menace on both flanks, Tranmere need to be at their best to stop Smyth.
The Northern Irishman is the O’s leading scorer, however, his form has deteriorated of late.
A hard task for Smyth is coming up against one of the most defensively astute back-lines in the league in Tranmere, so he needs to regain form again.
Match details
Where is the game being played?
The game will take place at Prenton Park, Birkenhead.
What time is kick-off?
Kick-off is at 15:00 GMT on Saturday January, 14.
How can I watch?
The game is not on live TV in the United Kingdom.
You can purchase a match pass on Tranmere Rovers’ iFollow, or listen to the game, paying as little as £1.
Highlights will be available on the Tranmere Rovers and Walsall’s YouTube channel after the game.
