NIGEL Clough says that his team are still hurting from conceding two injury time goals at Tranmere in September that turned victory into defeat for the Brewers.
Tranmere play the return at the Pirelli on Boxing Day (3pm kick off) and the Brewers are looking to record back-to-back home wins after picking up a 3-1 victory over Rochdale on Saturday.
Clough said: “Conceding late goals has happened too many times and twice that week with an injury time goal conceded at Portsmouth as well as the two at Tranmere.
“It was demoralising at the time and still is looking back on it now so it would be nice to try and put that right on Boxing Day and after the victory over Rochdale we want to start building an unbeaten run now.
“We have had certain points in the season when we have stalled when we have looked poised to take that next step and move on and Portsmouth and Tranmere was certainly one of those times. We were so close to two good away wins in a week. That’s why we are where we are in the league – we haven’t taken our opportunities.
“We will go into the Tranmere game now with much more confidence after the win on Saturday. We are very conscious that we haven’t scored enough times at home so to get three goals in front of our fans was important and we want some more now on Boxing Day.”
David Templeton will also be back after his wife had a baby just before Rochdale meaning he missed the game.
Clough said: “We are absolutely thrilled for him and it was nice that he could get a little bit of family time – some things are more important than football and having your first baby falls into that category. He missed Rochdale with our blessing, but he will be back on Boxing Day and ready to feature.”
Albion will also be boosted by the return of Stephen Quinn from suspension.