And the Shrimps manager could unveil a new signing by the weekend.

"I'm working on a couple of things, and I might be able to add to the squad," said McIlroy.

"We are light on numbers – especially in midfield – and I need to beef things up.

"It will probably be a loan signing.

"Ian Craney had an ankle operation on Monday, and he could be out for the rest of the season.

"Henry McStay has had knee surgery, so it is also long term for him.

"I've lost Neil Wainwright for a few weeks with an Achilles problem so I'm running short of options.

"The chairman is due back from holiday tomorrow, so as soon as he returns I'll be having a sit down with him to discuss the targets I'm interested in."

Morecambe have not played since December 27, when they lost 4-1 to leaders Rochdale at Spotland, but the Shrimps are still very much in the promotion hunt.

Morecambe's home League Two fixture with Burton Albion was postponed on Thursday, with the pitch deemed unplayable, and with no sign of the cold snap abating, Morecambe's players will have to wait and see if the trip to Hereford on January 16 goes ahead.

McIlroy said: "The forecast is not good so we'll just have to wait and see if there's a bit of a thaw."

Full story in Friday's Lancashire Evening Post