Macclesfield Preview

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Team News

Sunday's "six-pointer" with Macclesfield is arguably Chris Brass' most important match since taking charge of City, and after recently claiming that the side's home form will be the key to staving off relegation, it seems nothing less than a win will suffice. Changes are almost inevitable after the 3-0 loss at Bristol last weekend, and one change will see Brass return to the fold after a four-match suspension, possibly at the expense of Stuart Wise in order to reform a central defensive trio with Hope and Smith.

Elsewhere, competition is fierce up front as new loan recruit Jon Newby will be hoping for his first start, but Brass may choose to stick with Lee Nogan, Richard Offiong and Andy Bell. Levent Yalcin is also waiting for his chance, and a place on the bench at least should be expected. Another youngster, Matthew Coad, finds himself on the fringe of the first-team after some impressive displays for the reserves, but again the solid midfield duo of Dunning and Cooper is unlikely to be breached.

Two places up for grabs are the goalkeeper's jersey - with Chris Porter hoping to make up for an unconvincing performance at Bristol and Mark Ovendale ready to step into his place - and right wing-back. Leigh Wood has been selected on the right flank in recent games, but it his not his favoured position and the moment may be right for Graeme Law or Steven Downes to shine, though Darren Edmondson continues to struggle with calf problems. Jonjo Dickman's loan spell at the club has also been extended until the end of the season, so he could slot in on the right if needed, as could veteran Kevin Donovan, at the club on a non-contract basis.

Possible team - Porter; Smith, Brass, Hope; Merris, Wood, Cooper, Dunning; Nogan, Bell, Newby.

The visit of Macclesfield to Bootham Crescent will be a return to recent home ground for the likes of Jon Parkin and Graham Potter, both of whom are expected to start for the Silkmen. Paul Harsley, on the other hand, is rated as doubtful after sustaining a badly cut forehead in the midweek draw with Lincoln. Karl Munroe replaced him in that match and, should Harsley be unfit to start against the Minstermen, he is the likely replacement in the midfield.

Macclesfield are as desperate for a win in Sunday's encounter as City, and one clear advantage they have is a regular goalscorer in the form of Matthew Tipton. He will probably be partnered up front by Parkin and another ex-City player, Martin Carruthers, with James Olsen providing backup. Players struggling with injuries include Karl Vernon with a foot problem and Aiden Matranga with a broken fibula, but Nigerian defender George Abbey has recovered from a recent knee ligament sprain and is a likely starter on Sunday.

Possible team - Wilson; Abbey, Welch, Payne, Potter; Widdrington, Priest, Harsley; Parkin, Carruthers, Tipton.


Form guide

City - Oxford (a) D 0-0, Kidderminster (a) L 1-4, Scunthorpe (h) L 1-3, Torquay (h) D 0-0, Bristol Rovers (a) L 0-3.

Macclesfield - Huddersfield (a) L 0-4, Swansea (h) W 2-1, Kidderminster (a) W 4-1, Northampton (h) L 0-4, Lincoln (h) D 0-0.


Related links

YorkCityFC.com Prediction League

Needing a lift to BC on Sunday?

Macclesfield Town Official Site
SilkWeb (Rivals)
Macclesfield Mad

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