Morecambe set for mini-tournament with Blackburn and Bury

Ryan Edwards battles for the ball against Bamber Bridge. Picture: Paul Heyes

Having seen off Bamber Bridge 3-0 in their opening friendly on Tuesday night The Shrimps host Blackburn Rovers and Bury in a mini-tournament this weekend.

The first hour-long game between Blackburn and Bury opens the day at 1pm with The Shrimps then facing Rovers in the second match at 2.30pm.

Bentley’s side then complete the afternoon against the Shakers at 4pm.

The Shrimps boss said: “It’s a big weekend with the two games.

“It will be good test for us and will be nice to be back at home.

“It’ll be a little bit different but it’s a good opportunity for the players who’ve had 45 minutes to have 60 at the weekend.

“Hopefully we can build on what we did on Tuesday night because I thought we were excellent.

“Slowly but surely it just comes together.

“We’ve always had the right blend of games.”

Andy Fleming, Luke Conlan and Rhys Turner are injury doubts after missing the game against Brig but Bentley is hopeful a couple will get their first taste of pre-season action this weekend.

He said: “There will be a couple back who have got slight niggles.

“It’s important at this stage of the season that you don’t push people.

“We’ve got slight hamstrings with Conlan and Fleming and Turner went in for a tackle in training and just got his foot taken from underneath him and rolled his ankle.

“Two of them should be ready for the weekend while the other one will hopefully be soon after that.”

Some of the trialists who featured on Tuesday night, including Michael Rose, Ryan Croasdale and Dean Smalley, could also be in action again.