Sappleton in fitness race

Macclesfield manager Keith Alexander will check on the fitness of striker Ricky Sappleton ahead of the home clash with Grimsby.

Sappleton sustained a groin injury during last weekend`s 2-1 defeat against Bournemouth and was replaced at half-time by Ben Wright.

Alexander praised Wright`s impact off the bench in the second half and he could now be handed a starting role should Sappleton fail to recover.

Key defender Sean Hessey has been out injured all season with a knee problem but is edging closer to full fitness and could return soon.

John Rooney (calf) will also be assessed and Alexander admits his side are lacking firepower after five games without a win.

However, he revealed: "There might be the prospect of bringing someone in in January."

Grimsby hope to have Joe Widdowson available for the trip.

The defender missed the home defeat to Bradford after suffering a badly-bruised foot in a heavy challenge during the goalless draw at Lincoln last weekend.

The swelling has settled down but he remains a doubt. If this game comes too soon then he will come back into the reckoning when Dagenham & Redbridge visit Blundell Park on December 5.

Midfielder Mark Hudson and striker Ben Wright go straight into the squad after joining the Mariners from Gainsborough Trinity and Peterborough respectively.

Defender Rob Atkinson completes a three-match suspension while strikers Adam Proudlock (ankle) and Nathan Jarman (foot) are still working their way back to fitness. Both players are making good progress and Proudlock could return to the squad for the Daggers clash along with Nick Hegarty, who is recovering from an ankle injury.

Robbie Stockdale (thigh) and fellow defender Matt Heywood (knee) remain some way off a return.

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