TRANMERE are still watching Bury midfielder Jason Jarrett but, says Andy Preece, they have not made a bid writes Steve Canavan of the Bolton Evening News

Sources on Merseyside suggested Rovers manager Dave Watson was about to make a cash offer for the Bury youngster after being impressed by Jarrett's recent performances.

However, Shakers boss Preece confirmed to the BEN yesterday that the club has not received any contact from Tranmere.

"It is news to us," said the manager. "We have not heard anything from Tranmere and there has not been any bids made."

It remains to be seen if Watson will follow up his interest but if Tranmere do make a cash bid it is highly unlikely the Shakers, in their perilous financial position, would refuse.

Meanwhile, Preece is concentrating fully on Saturday's match at Cambridge, who were thrashed 5-0 by Port Vale on Friday.

New first team coach Graham Barrow was at the match and told Preece to expect the usual John Beck-style Cambridge side, ie: lots of long balls over the top.

"It will be a game where we have to stand up and be strong," explained Preece.

"Cambridge are a big, strong and physical side but if we can match them, like Port Vale did, then we can start playing football and hopefully end up with a good result."

On the injury front, there are several pieces of good news.

On target

Young striker Marc Whiteman played his first game for six weeks after recovering from a badly broken nose. He was on target for the youth team in their 2-1 defeat to Tranmere.

"He played very well," enthused Preece, "and he may well get his chance in the first team at some point. With the way things have been going he would probably have played by now had he not got injured."

Other casualties Michael Nelson and Lee Unsworth will both return to action for the reserve team tomorrow (against Stoke, 2pm kick off at Radcliffe Boro's Stainton Park) and, should they both come through okay, will be in the squad which travels to Cambridge.

On the downside, Baichung Bhutia has not recovered from his knee injury and Darren Bullock has recovered from his injury problems, only to pick up a virus.

The boss himself has not escaped the Gigg Lane injury curse.

Preece underwent a knee operation on Saturday and expects to be out of contention for six weeks.