Morecambe Preview

[Match Reports]

Two teams in the thick of the battle for the "play off zone" positions meet in a game that is crucial.

Team News

For City, for once Billy McEwan has several options available to him. The most likely, however, is keeping the same side that gained a point at a frosty Aggborough last weekend. In defence, towering centre back James Dudgeon is fit following recent injury concerns that caused him to miss the 0-1 reverse at home to improving Burton Albion. He competes for selection alongside the ever composed David McGurk with loan signing Lee Andrews. Competition for places has intensified at left back following youngster Evan Horwood signing for a 3 month loan period from Championship high - flyers Sheffield United. Dave Merris may well make way. In midfield, McEwan has recruited former Scunthorpe midfielder Terry Barwick on loan from Grimsby Town. He is described as a hard working player who will play in the "holding role" currently vacant due to Emmanuel Panther's injury. Barwick may debut, but it is more likely Leo Bertos, the much improved Lev Yalcin, Mark Convery and Darren Dunning will be the midfield four. Upfront, Joe O'Neill's inclusion in the midweek 1-0 reserve defeat by Hull City suggests he will once more be warming the bench rather than attempting to score for the first time in two months for the Reds.

For Morecambe, caretaker manager Sammy McIlroy has goalkeeping concerns. Ryan Robinson was taken off injured in the LDV defeat by Bradford City and efforts were being made to recruit a new keeper before Saturday's game (keeper loan deals can be made despite the transfer window being shut). Otherwise the team is more than likely the same. Key players for the Shrimps include 9 goal striker Michael Twiss and his strike partner Danny Carlton.

Possible Teams

City: porter; price, andrews, mcgurk, merris; bertos, yalcin, convery, dunning; bishop, donaldson. Substitutes: stockdale, barwick, horwood, mallon, o'neill.

Morecambe: davies; walmsley, kempson, bentley, howard; thompson, brannan, perkins, curtis; carlton, twiss. Substitutes: o'connor, kelly, stringfellow, lloyd, Loan Signing.

Previous Meeting

Morecambe 2-1 City

Lev Yalcin's first goal for the club was meerly a consolation as the Minstermen were beaten in a televised Sky game.

Useful Links

http://www.morecambefc.com/ - Morecambe Official Site
http://www.morecambefc-supporters.org.uk/ - OMSFC
http://www.gazzettaonline.co.uk/ - Gazzetta de la Shrimp
http://www.morecambe-mad.co.uk/ - Morecambe Mad
http://www.megashrimps.co.uk/ - Mega Shrimps
http://www.tobas.co.uk/shrimpsvoices/ - Message Board
http://yorkcityfc.com/away/morecambe.php - Away Travel Guide
http://yorkcityfc.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=4 - Away Travel Forum
http://yorkcityfc.com/pl - Predictions League