FC Halifax Town v Macclesfield: Preview

Macclesfield v Halifax on Boxing Day, which The Shaymen lost 2-1. Picture: Darren Murphy/Matchday Shots.

Heath could be without captain Matty Brown due to an ongoing back problem, right-back Michael Duckworth with an ankle injury and Scott McManus with a hamstring injury.

Duckworth picked up his ankle injury during his half-time warm-up at Maidenhead on Saturday, having only made his comeback from a four-month lay-off against Dover on December 30.

Heath thinks he could be out for at least four weeks.

“The biggest disappointment of the day on Saturday was losing Duckworth,” said the Town boss.

“I don’t know what we’ve done to deserve all this bad luck but for a lad not to be even on the pitch and get injured, I think that’s only happened once before to me.

“We left him out because we’re still mindful of fatigue and handling him right after doing the 90 minutes against Dover.”

Heath said Scott McManus could be out for up to three weeks with a hamstring injury, and that Brown is doubtful for the Macclesfield game.

“We had two people who didn’t make the bench on Saturday but we might be down to the bare bones again now,” Heath added.

“Matty Brown probably won’t make it, Scott McManus won’t, and we’ve lost Duckworth now, although Nathan Hotte does have a chance.”

Loanee George Waring’s deal expired on January 6, but Heath said he wants to retain the Tranmere striker for longer if Waring is happy to stay.

The game, which has already been postponed twice, will be played to a conclusion, with extra-time and penalties if required rather than going to a replay.

FC Halifax say that anyone who was at the game when it was previously called off is advised to bring with them their match ticket or car park ticket to gain entry.

The winners will receive £6,000 in prize money and will be at home to Maidenhead on Saturday.