IT'S round two of the Worthington Cup next week and PNE are away to Tranmere Rovers.

We've had quite a few battles with them in the past and Prenton Park is never an easy place to go to, especially in the cups, but with plenty of support behind them Preston should go through to the next round.

We see that Mark Birchill scored a brace on his debut for Portsmouth in the Bank Holiday game against Grimsby.

Birchill and two other recent signings, Courtney Pitt, a left wing-back from Chelsea and Croation international Robert Prosinecki all appeared in the Nationwide Football League Division One team of the week.

They've made some shrewd signings at Pompey.

Peter Crouch, who David Moyes was keen on signing, is another, are they going to be the surprise team of the 2001/02 season?

Three signings at Deepdale this week, but not the hoped for new faces, as Tepi, Graham Alexander and Rob Edwards all signed new three year deals.

While this won't have the fans jumping in excitement at least we don't appear to have any players wanting to leave.

So lets hope at fully fit Jon Macken can show the Wolves fans just what they are missing when we take them on this Saturday!