Derek Adams said he was trying to not give his plans to replace Michael Mellon away to Swindon Town following their 3-0 EFL Trophy defeat against Liverpool U21s.

Swindon travel to the Mazuma Stadium this Saturday hoping to extend their unbeaten start to the season to eight games and they received a boost to them doing that last weekend.

During the Shrimps’ 2-1 defeat away against Gillingham, their five-goal top scorer Mellon was sent off with 14 minutes remaining after receiving two yellow cards at the Priestfield Stadium, having scored their only goal in the game in the first half.

That dismissal will mean that Adams is left scrambling looking for a replacement for the League Two clash with Swindon, as the 19-year-old has started as the lone striker in each of Morecambe’s league games so far this season.

Morecambe were in the EFL Trophy action on Tuesday and Mellon played the full 90 minutes as Adams looks to keep his cards close to his chest prior to this weekend's fixture and not give his thoughts away to Michael Flynn.

Speaking to club media, Adams said: “Everyone came through the game well and that was important, because Jake Taylor getting 90 minutes was good.

“He did very well to get through those 90 minutes and it was important because he is a very good football player.

“As well, David Tutonda getting 90 minutes is important for us.

“I think that we have got ideas of what we are going to do [up front] come Saturday, but it gave Michael an opportunity [to play] tonight.

“Michael has been fantastic, he has been one of the top strikers in the division so far this season and he played tonight because he is suspended on Saturday.

“It also did not give Swindon an opportunity to see what we are going to do come Saturday.”