McIlroy will have to contend with the absence of defender Michael Howard after it was confirmed the influential full-back will be sidelined until the New Year with a stress fracture of his back.

Striker Matt Blinkhorn joins Howard in the Shrimps treatment room after being forced to undergo a cartilage operation last week and he is likely to be sidelined for a further month.

McIlroy will give a late fitness test to midfielder Paul Lloyd, who has been struggling with an ankle injury but player of the year Danny Adams returns after a fortnight out with a virus.

Former Celtic striker Diarmuid O'Carroll will continue in attack following his spectacular strike which earned his team a point in last weekend's 1-1 draw at Barnet.