Ellison blow for Shrimps

Morecambe have been handed an injury blow with the news that striker Kevin Ellison faces a month out after fracturing his eye-socket.

The striker was kicked in the face in the act of scoring a diving header during the 2-1 win over Mansfield at the weekend, a goal which, coming five minutes from time, proved to be the winner. Ellison was sent to hospital immediately after he sustained the blow and on Monday Morecambe's official Twitter account confirmed he is unlikely to return in 2013. Their tweet said: "Kevin Ellison's injury confirmed as a fractured eye socket. Ruled out for at least a month. Get well soon Big Kev." Speaking in the aftermath of the victory over the Stags, which saw the Shrimps come from behind, Bentley praised the bravery of Ellison to grab the winner. "Kevin has had a bit of stick recently and has admitted that he hasn't been at his best," Bentley told the club's official website. "But we all know what Kev is about and what he gives the team. On Tuesday night he was running around like a teenager in the 90th minute of the game and has this amazing determination to win games. "That is what he gives you and that is why I was so pleased that he was rewarded with the winner because he was incredibly brave. "We are gutted to lose him for the next few weeks and we will hopefully have him back as soon as possible." The loss of Ellison, who has struck six times this year, is likely to place more of a burden on Jack Redshaw. Last year's leading scorer was also on target at the weekend but has not started a game since an operation on his hip over the summer.