Business for usual at Macclesfield despite behind-the-scenes issues

Macclesfield must put off-field issues to one side as they face another crucial game in their bid to avoid the drop from Sky Bet League Two.

Staff wages for March were not paid on time last week but the squad opted not to follow Bolton’s example in going on strike and have prepared as usual to face Morecambe at Moss Rose.

Sol Campbell must check on striker Harry Smith’s hamstring after he missed last week’s 1-1 draw at Lincoln, though replacement Scott Wilson staked a claim to the place by scoring in that match.

Defender Jason Grimes missed a third straight game following a concussion, while goalkeeper Rhys Taylor remains a long-term absentee.

Striker Liam Mandeville is pushing to start for Morecambe after coming off the bench to score the winner against Crawley last week.

It was Mandeville’s first goal since September as he has faced a fight for playing time but boss Jim Bentley said he was impressed by the impact the Doncaster loanee made.

Captain Barry Roche will keep his place in goal after keeping a clean sheet on his recall in place of Mark Halstead.

Striker AJ Leitch-Smith remains out with a long-term hamstring injury.