Morecambe vs Hartlepool United FC - Morecambe striker Cole Stockton hoping to retain place for Hartlepool clash

Posted Thursday, April 07, 2016 by PA

Morecambe striker Cole Stockton will hope to hold on to his place in the side for the Sky Bet League Two clash against Hartlepool.

The 22-year-old, who is on loan from Tranmere, made his first start for the Shrimps in Tuesday's 2-1 defeat by Dagenham and is vying with Shaun Miller for a place in the XI.

Morecambe will again be without Adam Dugdale (foot) and Aaron Wildig (hamstring) but have no new injury worries.

Boss Jim Bentley has vowed to give on-loan Manchester United goalkeeper Kieran O'Hara more game time before the end of the season but is likely to stick with Barry Roche, who made his 500th professional appearance on Tuesday, for this one.

Hartlepool's leading scorer Billy Paynter is a major doubt for the game after limping off with an injury during Tuesday night's 1-0 defeat at Carlisle.

Paynter, who has 15 goals to his name this season, left the field at Brunton Park with a hamstring problem and will be assessed, although his chances of making it are slim.

Nathan Thomas missed the trip to Cumbria with a chest infection and he too will be assessed, while fellow midfielder Michael Woods has recovered from a dead leg and returns to contention.

Michael Duckworth got another hour's action under his belt for the reserves on Wednesday following hernia surgery, and he will be pushing for a place in the squad as Craig Hignett's men attempt to bounce back from a first defeat in eight games.