Tranmere Rovers are set to announce the signing of a new striker to bolster their attack for the rest of the season.
Rovers have had a positive start to their League Two campaign. Two wins, two draws, and one defeat put them 12th in the league, having played a game less than those around them in the league.
To help improve their chances of moving further up the table and avoiding a relegation battle, Tranmere are working to sign a new forward.
The forward in question is Joe Ironside from League One side, Doncaster Rovers.
Joe Ironside Set to Join Tranmere Rovers
Pete O’Rourke has confirmed on his X that Tranmere Rovers have agreed a deal with Doncaster Rovers to bring Ironside back to League Two.
The deal is said to be close, but at the time of writing, neither club have confirmed the deal has been completed.
Ironside Experienced at League Two Level
The forward has a wealth of experience playing in League Two. Ironside has played 165 games in the division, scoring 45 goals and picking up 16 assists.
His best campaign in League Two came in the 2023/24 season. For Doncaster Rovers, Ironside scored 20 goals and received an average Sofascore rating of 7.06. He finished that season with 0.4 goals per game and a goal every 183 minutes.
Last season, Ironside didn’t have the same impact. His game time was reduced, playing 39 times and starting just 17 of those games. Ironside’s reduced minutes resulted in him scoring just four goals in the league as Doncaster were promoted to League One.
This season, Ironside hasn’t featured for Doncaster at all in the league. He has made two substitute appearances in the EFL Cup.
Is This a Good Move for Ironside and Tranmere Rovers?
For Ironside, this move offers him the chance to return to regular first-team action. Just two seasons ago, he was the main striker for Doncaster, scoring 20 goals in League Two. He’ll likely be hopeful that a return to regular starts means a return to goal scoring.
For Tranmere, they’re getting a player with a wealth of experience at this level. Last season, they managed to steer away from relegation, but their top scorer managed just 11 goals, and that was midfielder Omari Patrick.
If Tranmere can play to Ironside’s advantages and use his experience in the league, they could have themselves a 15+ goal striker in their hands.