MACCLESFIELD RUFC face a crucial month if they are to ensure they do not become embroiled in a relegation battle in the second half of the season.

The Blues return to action on Saturday after a two-week Christmas break when fifth-placed Darlington visit Priory Park.

This will be followed by tough trips to free-scoring Preston Grasshoppers and Bradford and Bingley, where the hosts will be waiting to avenge their surprise defeat back in October, either side of a home clash with Tynedale.

Fourth-from-bottom Macc showed signs of a return to the form which saw them reach the National League Three play-offs last season with three wins out of their last four games prior to the festive break.

The Priory Park coach Steve Rule will be boosted by the return from injury of several key players, and will be able to pick from a near fully-fit squad as half-backs Anthony Birley and Andy Rice near match fitness.

But the hosts will be without Dave Muckalt after the influential player-coach has been ruled out for most of the rest of the season after having metal plates in his arm removed, while Tony Howcroft's long-term knee injury is set to keep the centre on the sidelines for several weeks.

The Blues went down 53-18 to Darlington in the second league match of the campaign, but avenged that loss by knocking the north-east outfit out of Powergen Trophy with a 24-5 victory.