A MOSQUITO could be responsible for keeping Morecambe's star goalscorer out for the rest of the year - but there is better news for a recent signing.

An operation to fix a hairline fracture in Robbie Talbot's right ankle had to be delayed after the former Burscough striker received a mosquito bite on holiday in June.

It is thought the bite could lead to any operation carrying the risk of infection.

But Jim Bentley, signed in the summer from Telford, is set to be back in action within a month.

Talbot's nightmare began with a medial ligament injury last December.

Despite recovering well from that, Talbot complained of a pain in his right foot, with a scan revealing a tiny hairline fracture.

That was expected to heal naturally, and Talbot was able to play in the FA Trophy tie at Margate.

However, the problems continued and the operation was set for June.

Talbot is now due to go under the knife next month and Christie Park bosses expect him to be playing again by January.

Jim Harvey was not expected to move into the transfer market again before Saturday's close of the first 'transfer window.'

That means youngsters such as Wayne Curtis and Danny Carlton will be taking on goal-scoring responsibilities, with Curtis grabbing a brace in Monday's game at Herford.

Saturday sees another visit to Christie Park from Stevenage Borough, who lie in joint seventh place with the Shrimps, having taken seven points from their four games.

Midweek action takes the Shrimps to he Deva Stadium, for a tough game agsint Mark Wright's new look Chester City.