Ben Stephens faces fitness test ahead of Crewe clash

Posted Monday, January 20, 2020 by PA

Macclesfield will monitor the fitness of Ben Stephens ahead of Mark Kennedy’s first home game in charge of the club against Crewe.

The midfielder came into the Silkmen’s starting line-up at the weekend – and scored in a 2-1 defeat at Colchester – but had to be substituted seven minutes from time with a tight hamstring.

Jay Harris and Miles Welch-Hayes were not included in the squad at the weekend having started against Oldham, and it remains to be seen if either returns on Tuesday night.

Boss Kennedy has indicated he is looking to add to his squad in the coming days, saying: “Ben came off with a tight hamstring and other lads are going down. We’ve got Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday, so we just need a little bit of help.”

Crewe boss David Artell has no fresh injury concerns for the trip.

Michael Nottingham made his debut for the club in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Cheltenham and impressed alongside Nicky Hunt in the heart of defence.

Veteran Hunt had recovered from a hip injury to start and the pair are likely to keep their places.

Fellow defender Eddie Nolan visited a back specialist on Monday as he plots a return after six games out.