Fanimo debut delayed by injury

Rob Edwards has revealed loanee Matthias Fanimo's debut for Tranmere was delayed because he had a slight groin strain on Saturday.

The 20-year-old midfielder arrived from West Ham earlier this month but was an unused substitute for the third time during the 2-1 loss to Exeter at Prenton Park. "We brought him in as cover because we didn't have a left-footed player," Edwards told Tranmere Player. "Fitness-wise, he wasn't as fit as the other players, but I've wanted to get him on in the previous games and it hasn't been possible. "On Saturday, he was going to come on but I found out before the game that he had a sore groin, so I didn't want to risk him. It was my last substitution and I could either bring Jason Koumas on or somebody with a sore groin, so I think I made the right choice." Rovers were also without injured defenders Matt Hill and Danny Woodards for the weekend defeat, which extended their winless run to four games ahead of a League Two trip to basement dwellers Carlisle. "We all want a successful team here, but yesterday's results can show that even at Man United, when a team has been struggling, it can take time to turn a team around," added Edwards. "If people think anyone in the world, even Van Gaal, has got magic dust to sprinkle on a squad, then I think it's unrealistic. If anyone thinks I've got magic dust to sprinkle on this club, I haven't got that magic dust, but what I've got is hard work - which I'm sure Van Gaal's got as well."