Macclesfield are desperate to find some form as they enter the make-or-break Christmas programme’s four arduous league and cup games.

Without a win in six League Two outings, Macc have to tackle Rotherham United, Port Vale and Accrington Stanley before hosting Premier League Bolton Wanderers on January 7.

And manager Gary Simpson is calling on his weary players to replicate the impressive form that had pushed them to the verge of play-off contention.

"They are four tough games coming up," he said. "The schedule has put us up against four very good sides so we’ve got to roll our sleeves up now, we’re short on form and we want to recapture the quality we had earlier in the season.

"If we can do that we can give anybody a game. We’ve got some unbelievably tough ones coming up so I’ve got to mix and match the lads now to get us through these next few matches."

Courtesy of one of the fourth tier’s best home defensive records, Simpson may have steered Macc to the third round of the FA Cup and a rematch with Bolton, but with his players short on confidence, he’s hoping that, with three days off this week, they can recharge their batteries and give their fans some festive cheer.

"They were off on Monday and Tuesday, and I’ll give them Christmas Day off. I trust them to be professional and prepare properly. If they do that and keep up their work rate on the pitch there’s no reason why we can’t pick up our form."

One player whose form can’t come under fire is centre-back Shaun Brisley, who is going all-out for a happy Christmas after making himself undroppable with a string of fine displays.

"I tend to have one glass of wine with my dinner then switch back on for the Boxing Day game," said the 21-year-old, a definite contender for end-of-year awards. "The gaffer’s been good to us, we’ve got a few days off that we need. We’ve got four very difficult games, culminating in Bolton, and the form they’re in we should fancy our chances of causing an upset."

MACC’S home matches with Port Vale (New Year’s Eve) and Bolton (January 7) are all-ticket games. For details call the club on 01625 264686.