TRANMERE Rovers return to action at Grimsby Town on Saturday following a two-week period without a match.

Nigel Adkins’ side were set to head to Swindon Town last weekend, but the game was postponed due to a frozen pitch at the County Ground.  

A proposed friendly against Bootle in midweek was also postponed due to the recent weather conditions.

With no games to prepare for, Adkins has been able to concentrate on matters off the pitch with the last remaining days of the January transfer window ensuring a busy time for managers across the Football League.

"We've got 31 players at this moment in time which is too big a squad and they all expect to play in the first team," said Adkins. 

"Maybe the competition for places has helped drive the 1st XI to be more consistent but this is an interesting week - all players have agents who are trying to move players in and out.

"As I said at the start of the January window, most deals are done in the last couple of days so it will be interesting but we're really happy with the squad of players we've got. We've got a team and everyone is working really hard for each other. 

"We're in a strong position but whether someone else comes in we'll have to wait and see but we have to make sure it's not 11pm on the Thursday and we're in a weaker position than we are now."

Although the Swindon postponement ensured Rovers had themselves a mini Winter break, Adkins admitted it was not ideal for the players to be twiddling their thumbs.

"The weather conditions made it a big challenge for everybody," he said. "The training ground pitches were rock hard but we managed to train on the beach which was fantastic.

"It was a different stimulus instead of the same environment and we had a bit of fun and games as well as some technical work. We had to adapt - players were going 'where are the lines?' When your feet got wet that meant ball was out! 

"Sometimes you just have to deal with a situation and adapt accordingly and I'm really pleased with how everyone has applied themselves and we go into this game in a good mood."

Rovers now travel to Grimsby looking to return to winning ways, after defeat to Milton Keynes Dons last time out ended their excellent run at home. 

"I'm not concerned about the two games that have gone against us," said Adkins. "We've had good conservations and got back in the classroom and learnt from it. 

"We draw a line under it and move on and for me the players' attitudes and comradery has been excellent. 

"We have an identity about how we want to play and sometimes you just have to accept that this is a tough division - I've been surprised at how challenging it's been and how many different ways teams go and play and we have to adapt to that because it's the evolution of football. 

"We watched Grimsby this week - David Artell has gone in there as a new manager and they're working hard for him. The goals they've scored means they're very attack minded but likewise the goals they're conceding means maybe they've been a little too expansive.

"It gives us an opportunity away from home because we're a massive threat on the counter attack so we know we can cause them problems."

Adkins added that every member of his Rovers squad, except Luke Norris, Jéan Belehouan and Jake Leake, is available for selection.