TO FIND evidence of how modern professional football teams are built on shifting sands, look no further than Tranmere.

Out of the 15 players who appeared in Rovers’ starting line-ups during December 2010, only six remain Prenton Park at the end of 2011. Stand-up John Welsh, Ian Goodison, Lucas Akins, Ash Taylor, Zoumana Bakayogo and Enoch Showunmi. No fewer than nine moved on.

Tranmere’s reliance on loan players last season was such that five temporary signings found a place on the team sheet during December and 11 were used in all during the campaign.

Here we look at what happened to the nine players who made it into Rovers first XI 12 months ago and then passed through the exit gate.

GUNNAR NIELSEN: Faroe Island international goalkeeper who began last season on a six-month loan to Rovers from Manchester City. Nielsen made just three senior appearances for Tranmere and is yet to break into the first team at City, where he remains under contract until the end of the season.

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