Morecambe v. Leigh preview

By Matt Lawton
September 23 2003

RMI make the relatively short trip to the Lancashire coast this evening without the services of on-loan Macclesfield Town striker Neil Robinson for a vital Conference Red Rose derby with Morecambe.

Robinson misses the game after picking up a knee injury in the first half of Saturday's 1-1 draw at home against Tamworth and will miss this evening's clash at Christie Park.

Robinson joins former Burnley defender Gerry Harrison on the sidelines who is still out injured with a long term shoulder problem. Other than the injuries to Robinson and Harrison, RMI manager Mark Patterson has no injury or suspension worries, with Martyn Lancaster and Wayne Maden still available for selection despite being sent off in the 3-1 away defeat at Gravesend & Northfleet ten days ago.

Host manager Jim Harvey, who has worked with former RMI striker Steve Jones in the senior Northern Ireland set up, welcome back attacking midfielder Adriano Rigoglioso after he served a two match suspension. However, winger Dean Howell misses the game because of a virus.

Harvey is boosted with the return of Gary Thompson, who has recovered from a bruised foot and made a substitute appearance in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Northwich Victoria.

RMI will be desperate to get back on track after failing to win any of their previous four matches, although trips to Christie Park are certainly an imposing prospect these days.