Morecambe boss Sammy McIlroy will again be without defender Jim Bentley when his side host Cheltenham.

Bentley is still absent with a calf injury and midfielder Stewart Drummond sits out the final game of a three-match suspension.

The team is likely to remain the same as the one that started against Carlisle in midweek, when Morecambe lost 1-0 at home in an FA Cup first-round replay.

McIlroy admitted he was left bitterly disappointed with the result and expressed concern over his side's lack of cutting edge in attack.

He said: "There is no doubt we needed more quality in front of goal."

McIlroy has no other major concerns but midfielders Fraser McLachlan and Manny Panther remain long-term absentees.

Acting Cheltenham manager John Schofield has an almost fully-fit squad at his disposal.

Substitute goalkeeper Barry Richardson was given his marching orders during a heated exchange on the touchline with the Lincoln bench during last weekend's 1-1 draw at Sincil Bank. He now serves a three-match suspension.

Defender Michael Townsend was forced off at half-time with a slight calf strain but he trained on Thursday morning and will be in contention to line up against the Shrimps.

Otherwise, long-term injury victim Shane Duff remains the only other absentee as he looks to return from his Achilles problem in the new year.

The recovering Oliver Bozanic has seen his loan stay cancelled as he looks to make a return from his knee injury with parent club Reading, meaning he will not be available.

However, new loan signing Joss Labadie is included in Schofield's squad having arrived on a month-long deal from West Brom on Friday morning.