Morecambe V Rotherham at Globe Arena - Match Preview




No comeback for Fenton

Morecambe defender Nick Fenton is set to miss out once more when his former club Rotherham visit the Globe Arena.

Fenton has been sidelined in recent weeks with a calf problem and will once again be unable to bolster the Shrimps backline.

It is an option boss Jim Bentley would have welcomed after branding the 1-0 Easter Monday defeat to Wycombe as the worst display during his time at the club.

"I'm still reeling a bit from Monday because we were so poor," he told Morecambe's official website.

"The pitch didn't help but we can't use that as an excuse because we were second best in far too many areas. I felt sorry for the fans because that just wasn't us and they deserve better than that.

"Rotherham will be really tough opponents but we have done pretty well at home against the top teams and I want us to show that same type of form and spirit this weekend."

Andy Parrish offers an alternative defensive option having come through a midweek reserve game on his return from a thigh injury.

Regular number one Barry Roche is expected to return between the posts after being rested in favour of understudy Andreas Arestidou last time out.

Rotherham will give midfielder Lee Frecklington every chance of making their trip.

The former Peterborough man missed Easter Monday's defeat at leaders Gillingham with an illness and has been in quarantine at home since.

He is due to return to the club on Friday and boss Steve Evans hopes he will be well enough to travel to the west coast.

"We haven't seen him, we will leave him at home until we travel," Evans said. "He's a lot better and we will see how he trains on Friday. He's a worry and every time an opposition sees a teamsheet and he isn't on it it gives them a boost."

Evans is also hoping a few of his players can overcome knocks in time to feature, with Claude Davis (dead leg), Danny Kearns (calf) and Michael O'Connor (leg) doubts.

Lionel Ainsworth and David Noble were substituted at half-time at Priestfield on Monday after a disappointing first-half showing, but they could keep their place as Ainsworth played well in a midweek reserve-team win over Tranmere, while Noble has impressed Evans in training.

The Millers' automatic promotion bid is in danger of hitting the buffers, with just one win in five, but they remain four points off third with a game in hand.

Source: PA

Source: PA