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Confidence is high for season opener
Management: Morecambe assistant Mark Lillis with Shrimps chief Sammy McIlroy
Morecambe will travel to Wycombe Wanderers tomorrow in confident mood.
The Shrimps begin their League Two campaign with the trip to Adams Park and assistant manager Mark Lillis cannot wait to get started.
Fresh from reaching the play-offs last season and with the added fillip of the club’s imminent move to a brand new stadium – they will play their first game at the Globe Arena on Tuesday against Coventry City in the Carling Cup – life couldn’t be better for Sammy McIlroy’s men.
And Lillis said: “It’s been difficult with the ground not being ready. We had to cancel three pre-season games but the stadium’s got the ok now.
“We have added four or five new players and they should improve the squad.”
In the past few days, the Shrimps have signed Atherstone striker Stuart Hendrie – brother of ex-Aston Villa midfielder Lee – Huddersfield Town’s Jimmy Spencer on loan, David Shuker from Tranmere Rovers and young goalkeeper Laurie Walker.
Lillis added: “Stuart Hendrie is a young forward from Atherstone. He’s come on a recommendation from Birmingham.
“He played in three games in pre-season and scored four goals. He’s enthusiastic and willing to learn and he’s got a year now to prove himself.
“Jimmy Spencer is a young lad from Huddersfield. Lee Clark has let him come to us because he knows we will look after him and develop him.
“Laurie Walker is young and enthusiastic. He’s 6ft 4in and got good presence. He’s not got a lot of experience but we’ll be working with him.
“And Chris Shuker can play anywhere across the forward line.”
Lillis knows that Wycombe, who were relegated from League One last season, will be a tough proposition for his players.
“It’s a tough opener for us. They’ll be looking to finish in the top three this season.
“We will make it difficult for them but all the games are going to be difficult.
“We finished fourth last season, which was a great achievement. Every year we have progressed the club.”
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Weather for Preston
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -3 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light sleet
Temperature: 3 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South east
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