Wigan Athletic Merseyside Masters

After reaching the final of the Manchester Masters last June, Wigan Athletic have found themselves too hot to handle for the Mancs and have been placed in tonights Merseyside heat alongside Liverpool, Everton and Tranmere Rovers at the Liverpool Echo Arena.

There are some changes from last years squad with two times European Cup winner Alan Kennedy drafted in for the Latics to add some experience and steel at the back.

There are former Latics players turning out for some of the other sides tonight, Tranmere Rovers have Stuart Barlow and Ged Brannan whilst Everton have ex-Latics Kevin Langley and Peter Beagrie in their squad

The four squads are:

Wigan Athletic

Tony Pennock (GK) - John Doolan - Alan Kennedy - Pat McGibbon - Peter Atherton - Neil Redfearn - David Lowe - Andy Lyons - Colin Greenhall

Everton

Kevin O'Brien (GK) - Peter Beagrie - Brett Angell - Barry Horne - Craig Short - Neil Pointon - Kevin Langley - Joe McBride

Liverpool

Bob Bolder (GK) - Nigel Spackman - John Wark - Phil Babb - Jan Molby - Mike Marsh - Paul Walsh - John Durnin - Ian Rush

Tranmere Rovers

John Acterberg (GK) - Ged Brannan - Steve Mungall - Ian Nolan - John McGreal - Kenny Irons - George Santos - Stuart Barlow

Ian Rush, who will be in the Liverpool squad this evening, says he is really looking forward to the tournament and enjoys getting involved with his former team mates, he told the Liverpool Echo:

"It`s the first one at Liverpool`s Echo Arena which will be great.

"As it`s ourselves Everton, Tranmere and Wigan involved there should be a good crowd there.

"That's what it`s all about. Playing for the fans.

"We`ve always done well in the regional stages. It's just when you get to the finals that we've struggled a little bit in recent years.

'It's getting a little bit tougher for us older guys coming up against players who are still fully fit.

"I go training every day and have spent some days training with Wrexham. But that's different from running throughout a match and match fitness.

"But I know that most of the lads will get out there and get themselves in reasonable shape when there is a game coming up."

Tonights tournament is a complete sell out but it will be broadcast on Sky Sports from 8pm

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