MORECAMBE boss Sammy McIlroy is in the middle of an emergency loan defender hunt in time for Saturday's Conference grudge match at Forest Green Rovers.

The Christie Park treatment room currently resembles a scene from Emergency Ward 10 - and to compound that misery skipper Jim Bentley and fellow Scouser Ged Brannan are banned for Saturday's trip to the New Lawn after collecting their fifth bookings of the season during the draw with Cambridge United.

"It's unbelievable," says McIlroy. "After all the injury problems I have Bentley out and Brannan out and Blackburn is not fit.

"I am going to have to do something to get someone in because I have run out of centre halves."

McIlroy tried to sign Sheffield United defender Ryan Cresswell in time for last weekend - but the player opted for a loan to Halifax Town instead.

"It's frustrating but we have to battle through and there is no point moaning about injuries."

The Shrimps face their former boss Jim Harvey when they travel to Gloucestershire on Saturday with acrimony and bitter feeling still bubbling under the surface following the Christie Park draw in November.