John Aldridge is rallying his patched-up troops for "the biggest game" in Tranmere's history against Bolton tonight.

Rovers go into the second leg of their English League Cup semi-final a goal to the good at Prenton Park, after Clint Hill's priceless away strike in the 1-0 success last week.

But Aldridge is refusing to contemplate the prospect of leading his side out at Wembley in the League Cup final next month while he is plagued with a plethora of injuries and suspensions.

He said: "This is arguably the biggest game in the club's history. We must approach it right, play well on the night and use the advantage we hold."

"We have a slight advantage from the first leg but with all the injuries and suspensions we are suffering with - things have evened themselves out. It will be a tough game."

Hill and fellow defenders Gareth Roberts and Alan Morgan are suspended whilst Steve Yates (thigh) and keeper Joe Murphy (broken collarbone) are ruled out.

Long-throw expert Dave Challinor is almost certainly out with an ankle ligament injury. That is likely to see Reuben Hazell partnering Phil Babb, on loan from Liverpool, in central defence.

Rovers are used to overcoming traumas, however, after playing with 11 men despite having a player sent off against Sunderland in the 1-0 FA Cup win over the Premiership side and sweating on an FA decision to back their result.

"We approached the first leg right after all the hullabaloo of the Sunderland game. But this is a different occasion and another game," added Aldridge.

And the former Republic of Ireland striker is aware of Tranmere's history of being proverbial "nearly men".

The Tranmere boss knows through painful first-hand experience that the match is far from over, as three times in successive seasons Tranmere missed out in the Division One play-off semi-finals to Swindon, Leicester and Reading.

There are also the ghosts of the 1994 League Cup meeting against Aston Villa to be exorcised when the Midlands side triumphed in a penalty shoot-out to leave Rovers heartbroken.

Expectation is high on the Wirral that Tranmere, forever the bridesmaid, will finally make it to the altar. Club officials hung up the `sold-out' signs over a week ago with 14,000 home fans hoping to crown a fairytale season with their first ever major cup final appearance.

"I've been stung a few times going into the second leg before - a few years ago we won 3-0 at home to Blackpool and lost the away leg 4-0." "We're in the semi-final of a prestigious major cup competition and we must see the job through and approach the game positively. We've rested a few players so they should be fresh."

He confidently added: "We can do it - it's not beyond us."

Having sent Premiership sides Coventry, Middlesbrough, West Ham and Sunderland crashing out of cup competitions this season, pundits would be unwise to bet against them.

John Achterberg, Nick Henry, Gary Jones, Andy Parkinson and David Kelly are all in contention having been rested for Saturday's 1-0 reverse at Huddersfield.