Sammy McIlroy hoped to hammer out a fresh deal with City boss Mark Hughes for the Northern Ireland international, who played four games for the Shrimps and scored on his home debut against Aldershot.

"It is a big disappointment but Manchester City don't want him to go out on loan for a second time, and there's nothing I can do about that," said the Shrimps manager.

"They rate him very highly and Ryan went to Germany with the full squad for the UEFA Cup tie at Schalke last night.

"He is a young boy with a terrific future and I'm sure the experience he had with Morecambe was a great benefit to him."

McIlroy plans to strengthen his squad in the January transfer window – and Morecambe's wheeler-dealer boss is closing the net on a couple of targets.

"My main priority is a left-sided midfielder, and I've got a couple of irons in the fire," he added.

"I will be doing some business in January, with maybe two new faces coming in."

The Shrimps extended their unbeaten run to six games with a battling draw at Bournemouth in midweek, but McIlroy's side take a break from league action tomorrow when they host Cheltenham Town in the second round of the FA Cup.

The League One outfit shocked well-fancied Oldham in a replay at Boundary Park but fast-improving Morecambe will fancy their chances of producing a shock.

"There's no pressure on us, it is all on Cheltenham because everybody will expect them to win," added McIlroy.

"There's a massive incentive to get through and possibility of pulling out a Premier League plum in the next round.

"The boys showed terrific character to gain a precious point at Bournemouth. It was a really battling performance and they've shown great character recently to turn things round."

Skipper Jim Bentley looks likely to miss out again tomorrow after a calf strain forced the big defender to miss the trip to Bournemouth, and McIlroy added: "I don't think Jim will be ready for the cup tie, but maybe for the game at Notts County on Saturday week."

Cheltenham boss Martin Allen, who took charge last month, said: "It was a great win at Oldham, but Morecambe have good form of late and it will be a tough tie."