Prenton Park holds fond memories for Ian Sharps but the Chester FC skipper's focus when he returns this weekend will be securing three points.

Although born in Warrington, Sharps was raised in Heswall and joined Tranmere Rovers as a schoolboy, progressing into the first-team and making almost 200 appearances between 1998 and 2006.

The centre-back departed for Rotherham United, where he had two spells, and also represented Shrewsbury Town and Burton Albion in a long and successful Football League career.

Sharps signed for Chester this summer on a 12-month deal and the 34-year-old has provided a reassuring presence in the heart of defence alongside England C international Ben Heneghan.

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He will captain the Blues against the club where he started his career in the first competitive meeting between the rivals for 24 years on Saturday (3pm).

Sharps said: "I had a long time there, near on 10 years in total and it was a great place to play football. I'm looking forward to going back there.

"There will be a people still there from my days because it's close knit-club. I'm sure there will be a few faces I recognise from my time.

"Tranmere will be up for it but so will we. We can't worry too much about what they can do or can't do, we've got to there with a positive frame of mind.

"As a footballer you aspire to be in games with atmosphere and games with things at stake like this. We'll go there and give it everything we've got and hopefully that will be enough."

LOOK: Ian Sharps' career in pictures

The two clubs head into the game nestled alongside each other in the Vanarama National League, having both taken 12 points from eight matches.

Following a promising start, Tranmere have not won in four and drew 1-1 at Welling United at the weekend.

Chester went down 2-1 at home to leaders Forest Green Rovers on Saturday but Sharps was content with the performance.

"Forest Green took their chances quite well in the end but we've got to be happy with how we played," he said.

"We've worked on our shape during the week to try and eradicate what went wrong in the Guiseley game. We passed the ball well, we got into good positions and the next step now is taking the chances that we're creating.

"I think Forest Green rely on their front four to create chances and they were decent going forward but we gave them a good game. It wasn't enough in the end but we've got to be happy with the performance.

"We'll take the positives from that, work on the negatives during the week at training and hopefully that will stand us in good stead on Saturday."

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