It's a rare luxury when Macclesfield Town can look at employing some squad rotation.
But boss John Askey has just such a comfort as he takes his side to Eastleigh tomorrow.
It's another arduous away-day for the Silkmen but with 16 points from a possible 18 this calendar year there's every reason to think they can take another giant leap towards securing a play-off place.
And having brought in new recruits Askey now has the option to take some of the wearier legs out of the side over the last 12 games. Thierry Audel's return means that centre-backs Alex Grant and George Pilkington and left-back Scott Barrow all have top-drawer competition for their places. But more importantly, there's some depth in the defence - something that's been a long-standing concern for Askey.
Further forward, there's an embarrassment of riches in the centre of midfield, with a quality quartet - Pauls Turnbull and Lewis, Danny Whitaker and another returning player, Lee Bell. It's a foursome that stands up against any in the division, and Askey is keen to make the most of it, generally employing all but one of them in a trio in the trenches.
The 4-4-2 formation, much maligned these days, hasn't brought great success for the Silkmen this season, as Askey explained: "Formations don't win or lose games, players do. But five of the six games we've lost, all the defeats except at Lincoln - when we were really down to the bare bones - came when we've played 4-4-2.
"It's still about players and what they do, running about and giving it a go, but that's what formation we've played when we've lost. It would be nice if we could have two wingers and get the ball forward that way, but that's something to look at - that's a nice stat for you anyway!"
The flanks also have strength in depth these days. Chris Holroyd (above) has made the switch out wide to great effect, Danny Rowe has been a constant threat to defenders since his New Year return and Adriano Moke can often cause full-backs nightmares. Add Theo Bailey-Jones' on-ball ability to the mix and there's plenty of scope for joy down the sidelines.
And although Birmingham loan striker Denny Johnstone was recalled and loaned straight back out again to Cheltenham, there's surely enough firepower in Waide Fairhurst (10 goals) and Matthew Barnes-Homer (nine) to see them to post-season action.
"Everyone's looking forward to the Eastleigh game," added Askey.
"We've pretty much everyone fit and OK, there's only Will Haining who's a couple of weeks away yet, so we'll go there confident.
"We're still within budget because some players have left but if we wanted to get someone else we'd have to have some new investment coming in.
"It was a shame Thierry couldn't play against Crewe on Tuesday but he's settled in well and he's getting his fitness up."
Tuesday's Cheshire Senior Cup success aside it's been a time of rest and relaxation for Macc, who were inactive last Saturday. Two players who did see some much-needed action last week were Lewis and Andy Halls, who both had second-half run-outs for Paul Fairclough's England C team in their defeat to Cyprus Under-21s in Larnaca last week.
"I was glad they got some game time because Hallsy had a two-match ban after his 10th yellow card (at Welling) so he could have done with the run-out to keep his sharpness up and Paul is still trying to get his fitness back to what it was before his broken collarbone," added Askey. "They both came through the game OK so that's pleasing and it benefits us."
Since the third-placed Silkmen's last outing, a 1-1 draw at Southport, Bristol Rovers have taken over top spot from perennial front-runners Barnet. And as Macc have two games in hand on the Pirates, and have still to face Rovers on home turf, Askey's far from ready to concede that the title's out of reach.
Macc have already emphatically beaten the big-spending Hampshire side, 2-0 at the Moss Rose in August. And victory tomorrow over the Spitfires - who've won just one of the last six at home - could see Askey's men extend the gap to those outside the play-off places to 17 points.
