Morecambe boss Sammy McIlroy has admitted defeat in his attempt to bring Preston striker Brett Ormerod to the club.

The former Northern Ireland manager had hoped to tie up a loan move for the forward (pictured), who has fallen out of favour at Deepdale.

But any hopes of a move were scuppered by an injury to Preston's Craig Beattie.

Beattie is expected to be out for up to two weeks with a hamstring injury, meaning Ormerod will deputise.

McIlroy told the Lancashire Evening Post: "We had virtually agreed everything for Brett to come on loan to Morecambe and then there was the unfortunate injury to Beattie.

"That was a terrible disappointment because that has virtually killed any hope of the deal happening now because Alan [Irvine, Preston manager] needs to keep Brett at Deepdale at the moment.

"Also another club had arrived on the scene with far more spending power than us and I think if Brett went anywhere now it would be there."

Tom Williams / Eurosport