RUMOURED City target Derek Adams today welcomed “speculation” surrounding Morecambe as a sign of the club’s progress.

The Scot is being strongly linked with the vacant Valley Parade hot-seat – while Shrimps players Carlos Mendes Gomes, Cole Stockton and Sam Lavelle have all been tipped to move on.

Morecambe are preparing for their play-off double header with Tranmere, which kicks off at Prenton Park on Thursday, but Adams insists the talk is not a distraction.

Adams, who still has another year on his Morecambe contract, told The Visitor: “I think it’s hugely beneficial to the football club when you’re going into a big game and there’s speculation over our players.

“That shows you how well we have done this year. It’s something the football club will want to have, players being linked with other clubs.”

Adams steered Morecambe to fourth spot in League Two with 78 points - the highest total in their EFL history.