Tranmere Rovers caretaker boss Ian Dawes has welcomed the return of a former Carlisle United player's son for their clash with the Blues.

Kane Hemmings, whose father Tony played for United from 2000-1, is back from injury for the Wirral outfit.

The experienced striker was a substitute last time out but could now reinforce the Tranmere attack from the start at Brunton Park.

Dawes, who is leading Tranmere after the recent sacking of Micky Mellon, has spoken about 31-year-old Hemmings’ influence.

“We’re glad to have him back. He’s a big part of the team, not just as a player but as a leader and character,” said Dawes in an interview with BBC Merseyside.

“Last Friday [in the 1-1 draw with Harrogate Town] was just too soon for him to start. We’ll see whether he’ll start or not [at Carlisle].

“When you look through the spine, we’ve got two experienced centre-backs, and they’ve been great in the process, and the group have been really good, but it makes a difference when you’ve got a couple of players in the spine who are experienced and know the level.

“I look at last Friday’s game, we started pretty poorly and one of the main reasons is [the ball] wasn’t being secured up front for us. Kane’s good at that, he gets us up the pitch.

“In what we’re trying to do he’s important for us.

“We’ve got a young squad and a squad that are technically quite good. It’s important the forwards help us build up the pitch.”

Tranmere are hoping for a first win in six on Good Friday.

They sit 14th in the table with seven games to go.