LES PARRY’S trans-Pennine trip to take in Town’s clash with Notts County came as no surprise to Lee Clark.

The Galpharm boss is getting ready to pit his wits against his Birkenhead counterpart for the third time this season at Prenton Park on Saturday.

He’s plotting a third win in as many visits there after 2-0 triumphs in League I last season and the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy this time around.

But Tranmere, who drew 0-0 at Oldham last night, showed they can be stubborn opponents when fighting out a goalless draw at the Galpharm in August, and Clark expects it to be tough on Saturday.

“Les Parry is a man I like and respect,” said Clark of the 53-year-old former club physio who has been in charge since October 2009.

“It’s no surprise at all that he was at our game on Sunday because he goes about his work very diligently.

“He also gets his players working very hard for him, and with Tranmere fighting to get away from the danger zone, we can’t step off the gas.”

Town go into the game second in the table and looking to make it 19 League I games unbeaten.

Tranmere were one of a string of League I clubs represented on Sunday.

Peterborough, who visit Town on Saturday week, were there alongside Brighton, Bournemouth, Dagenham, Leyton Orient and Rochdale.

Premier League trio Arsenal, Blackburn and Liverpool were there (the Gunners have Benik Afobe on loan to Town while Anfield defender Stephen Darby is at Notts) with Nottingham Forest, Reading, Sheffield United and Watford from the Championship.

From League II there were Shrewsbury and Southend, and from North of the border, Glasgow Rangers and Inverness Caledonian Thistle.