Young guns Joe Brown and Tom Penford have injected new life into City's season.

Boss Colin Todd reckons the introduction of the hungry rookies has added a bit of spark to the whole team.

Brown has featured in the previous five games while Penford made his first start in 20 months last week.

Both will be involved against Tranmere at Valley Parade tomorrow as City aim to follow up their Yeovil success.

Todd said: "They have come into the side and not let anybody down. They are playing with great enthusiasm and that seems to spread.

"The older ones in the team will see that and know that they've got to lead by example with the youngsters, so it has a positive effect all round."

Todd admits he is still pondering which formation to employ. City have successfully altered tactics mid-game in the last two outings but his decision could hinge on the fitness of Marc Bridge-Wilkinson.

The influential midfielder is recovering from a severely bruised right foot. If he does make it, Todd might be tempted to persist with a 3-5-2 even though he felt the players looked more comfortable when they switched to the regular 4-4-2 last week.

Todd said: "I've got to look at my personnel first. It depends on who is available.

"We're monitoring the situation with Bridgey and we'll give him plenty of time. David Wetherall is going to be all right, which is good news, but I don't think Steve Schumacher or Andy Cooke will make it again.

"Unfortunately we've had one or two injuries and haven't had that continuity, especially in midfield. But everyone who has gone out there is doing their best, as we saw against Yeovil.

"That was an excellent win and now it's all about us following up with another good performance.

"People talk about teams at the bottom being easy to beat but that is never the case. Look at the way Blackpool beat Doncaster during the week.

"Everybody has something to play for in this league and even the teams sixth or seventh bottom will still feel they've got a chance of making the play-offs."

City will have a settled Dean Windass on board after they finally drew a line under Barnsley's interest.

Tykes chairman Gordon Shepherd made one final call to Julian Rhodes yesterday - and was informed that a deal was not going to happen.

Rhodes said: "I think Andy Ritchie persuaded him to have another go but Gordon knew what the answer would be. Dean is too important to us to consider selling and Gordon accepted that."

The Windass speculation has coincided with a revival of his goal-scoring form and he has netted in each of the last two games. Todd said: "He's in a vibrant mood again."

Tranmere arrive at Valley Parade on a seven-match unbeaten run - and have drawn the last three 0-0.

Brian Little offers no apologies for playing it mean as his side pull clear of the relegation zone after a torrid first half of the season.

"Being tight away from home is going to be very important to us," said the Tranmere boss.

"It's where our troubles began this season when we took very little from our first four or five games on the road."