McIlroy looking for hungry squad

Sammy McIlroy has been in charge at Christie Park since May 2006

Morecambe manager Sammy McIlroy hopes that Stuart Drummond's suspension on Saturday can give one of the club's squad players the chance to impress.

The 33-year-old midfielder will miss Saturday's League Two match against Crewe after being sent off in last Saturday's FA Cup tie against Carlisle.

"We'll miss Stuart, but this will give somebody else a chance," McIlroy told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"It's a blow but things like this happen in football."

With injury problems easing at Christie Park, McIlroy hopes that one or two key players are close to a return.

"Will Haining and David Artell both had a run-out behind closed doors," he said.

"The only one we've got a concern about is Manny Panther, who is still four to five weeks off returning."

Full commentary on Crewe v Morecambe on Saturday (from 1500 GMT) on BBC Radio Lancashire.