NATHAN CLARKE looked ahead to a key week in Town’s calendar and insisted: “We all know the big Leeds derby is approaching, but we won’t lose our focus on Tranmere.”

The fifth-placed Galpharm side host League I’s basement team from Birkenhead tonight (7.45) before going to Elland Road for the big West Yorkshire showdown against the leaders on Saturday (12.15).

And the centre-back – whose overhead kick sealed Saturday’s 1-0 win at Port Vale and an FA Cup third-round tie at home to Championship highfliers West Brom – reckons taking on Tranmere will be as tough as facing Simon Grayson’s top dogs.

“They’ve had a tough time of it so far this season, but games against them are never easy,” said the 26-year-old ahead of a match which pits Town midfielder Antony Kay against his former employers.

“We were straight back in for training on Sunday, and we’ve seen the DVDs of them and worked through some specific plays, so we’re well prepared.

“But nothing comes easy in this division, and just like the cup-tie at Port Vale, we’re going to have to be prepared to do the ugly side of things, winning headers and tackles, and then try to impose ourselves on the match.”

Clarke felt Town’s midfield four of Kay, Michael Collins, Gary Roberts and Lionel Ainsworth, in for the injured Anthony Pilkington, did just that at Vale Park.

“They really got about the pitch, working defensively as well as in attack, and I thought they were outstanding,” he said.

“In addition our strikers (Jordan Rhodes and Lee Novak), made some great runs, which they do every game, and that put Port Vale under a lot of pressure, especially in the first half.

“We need to do more of the same against Tranmere, and after the disappointment of our (2-1) defeat down at Swindon, it’s a game we badly want to win.

“I know there’s a lot of excitement about the Leeds match.

“But the old saying that the next game is always the most important is true, and for us, that’s Tranmere. There’s no danger we won’t be giving it our full attention.”

Town, unbeaten at home this season, chase an eighth league win at the Galpharm and 10th in all against a Tranmere side still under the caretaker managership of Les Parry, who took over when John Barnes departed in September.

Rovers were 2-0 winners over Southend at Prenton Park in their last League I game – skipper Ian Goodison and Terry Gornell scored – but were held goalless at home to League II Aldershot in Saturday’s FA Cup second-round tie on the Wirral.

The pair replay a week tonight for the right to host Wolves.