Howard joins U's on month's loan
Oxford United have signed 29-year-old left-back Michael Howard on a month-long loan from Morecambe.
The former Swansea player goes straight into the team for the Blue Square Premier game with Grays on Saturday.
Howard was a key member of Morecambe's promotion-winning side last season and was their player of the year the previous term.
Oxford have transfer-listed six players including defender Alex Jeannin and are expected to sign more new faces soon.
McIlroy rues defensive frailties
Morecambe manager Sammy McIlroy feels defensive errors could cost his team their chance of reaching the play-offs.
McIlroy made the comments after seeing the Shrimps concede two goals in the closing stages of their 2-2 draw with Darlington on Easter Monday.
"I'm sorry to say but we dug our own grave," he told SSB.
"We just haven't got the know-how in certain areas to see the game through and to give it away in the way we did was suicidal."
McIlroy admits errors have been a continual problem throughout their first season in the Football League.
"This is not the first time this has happened and it's soul destroying.
"It's happened on numerous occasions and it has got to change."
The result leaves Morecambe six points off the final play-off spot, although they still have a game in hand of seventh placed Chesterfield.
Carr wants regular Morecambe spot
Morecambe defender Michael Carr has revealed his determination to make the most of his first-team opportunities.
The 24-year-old became Sammy McIlroy's first signing of the summer after joining on a free transfer from Northwich Victoria in May.
"It's nice to be involved again," Carr told Radio Lancashire.
"Pre-season's a lot harder than it was at Northwich, so I'm just keeping my head down and hopefully I will benefit from it."
And the Preston-born player has already noticed a big difference in the set-up at Christie Park.
"It's a lot more professional," said Carr. "We're doing double sessions every day, so it's taking a lot out of you.
"But it's going to help you for the season ahead, and hopefully around Christmas time we'll start feeling the benefits of that.
"The league is a lot more physically demanding, so you have to prepare for it in the right way," he added.
Despite the increased pace of League Two, Carr feels his game will suit Morecambe's style of play.
"I'm an energetic player who gets box-to-box, gets his foot in and will pop up in the box now and again. Hopefully I'll get a few goals as well.
"I know nobody's place is safe because of the competition here, but that's a nice position to be in," Carr continued.
"There's six or seven central-midfielders all deserving to play. But you just have to try your hardest to make sure you stake your claim for a place early on."
McGivern set for Morecambe loan
Morecambe have agreed a deal with Manchester City to bring in Northern Ireland international Ryan McGivern on loan until the end of December.
The 18-year-old defender has agreed the move, with boss Sammy McIlroy hoping to see the paperwork concluded in time for Saturday's trip to Port Vale.
"I have seen Ryan play a few times and been very impressed by what I've seen," McIlroy told the club website.
"He will be a very welcome addition to the squad."
Newry-born McGivern is a member of the Manchester City youth team and made his full international debut against Scotland in August.
Northern Ireland boss Nigel Worthington said McGivern had a "huge'' future ahead of him despite seeing the youngster sent off at Hampden Park.
McGivern was also part of the Northern Ireland Under-20 elite squad which recently won the Milk Cup.
McIlroy signs on for another year
Morecambe manager Sammy McIlroy has signed a one-year contract extension to keep him at Christie Park until the end of the 2009/10 campaign.
McIlroy's current deal was due to expire at the end of the season.
The 54-year-old told Radio Lancashire: "It's been difficult recently and we're still adapting to the Football League.
"But the chairman has shown faith in me. I'm delighted to sign that extra year - I had no hesitation."
"The chairman talked about it at the start of the season before a ball was kicked - I just said 'let's carry on'."
McIlroy arrived at Morecambe in November 2005, stepping in for Jim Harvey who had suffered a heart attack. He led the Shrimps to the play-offs that season, but lost out to Hereford.
However, the former Manchester United and Northern Ireland midfielder succeeded in guiding the club into the Football League the following year - his first full season with the club - following victory over Exeter in the play-off final at Wembley.
"Wembley was fantastic, it just shows what we can do - last year staying up was brilliant as well - now we're being tested, people know about us - again, the main priority is to stay in the league," added McIlroy.
