Barry Roche eyeing return as Morecambe host Chesterfield

Posted Monday, April 09, 2018 by PA

Morecambe could welcome back goalkeeper Barry Roche for their appointment with Chesterfield at the Globe Arena.

Roche has been troubled by a calf muscle problem but he might be back in the frame, while Max Muller is available following a back injury.

Morecambe boss Jim Bentley will look for his team to deliver an immediate response following a 3-0 defeat at Cheltenham on Saturday.

Victory for the Shrimps would take them 11 points above bottom club Chesterfield and – having lost just two of their last 10 games – they will start as clear favourites.

Chesterfield, two points adrift at the League Two basement after a 1-0 loss to fellow strugglers Grimsby last time out, could be unchanged.

Sam Hird, Giles Coke, Gozie Ugwu and Dylan Mottley-Henry remain long-term absentees, but manager Jack Lester says that experienced defender Ian Evatt will travel with the squad, although he is not ready for a return to action.

The Spireites are currently six points from safety with their cause not being helped by fellow strugglers Barnet beating Forest Green over the weekend.

But they have games in hand over other sides in the League Two danger zone, with the Morecambe trip being followed by a home game against Mansfield, before a midweek trip to Exeter.