Andy Halls is ready for a date with Turkey, having been named in the England C team’s contingency squad.

The right-back has put in a string of impressive performances for Macclesfield this season, in a defence that – last season – was roundly dismissed as vulnerable to set-pieces.

This term though, Halls has excelled alongside George Pilkington, Luke Waterfall and Scott Barrow in a settled and stout defensive line on which the Silkmen’s stunning start has been based.

And now the 22-year-old, who achieved a degree of Twitter infamy last year by branding Edgar Davids a ‘Bad Muppet’, is on standby in case one of the main squad withdraws for the game in Turkey in mid-October.

 

“All I can do is wait and see,” he said ahead of Macc's 1-1 draw with Gateshead that maintained their unbeaten home run this term. “I certainly won’t get carried away with it, and I don’t wish any illness or injury on anyone else, I’ll just concentrate on my next game and make sure I’m ready.

“I’d love to go and have that experience though, it’s something that can only make you raise your game.”

Among the defender’s admirers this season has been the man who signed him in both summer windows, Silkmen boss John Askey. Last season Halls admits he wasn’t at his best, but with a full pre-season behind him this time his form is now showing.

“Nothing much has changed with me this year except I had a full pre-season,” he added.

“I felt like I was playing catch-up for a lot of last season but I’m injury-free, I’ve come back stronger, I’m focused and enjoying my football a lot more.”

Part of that focus comes from a new venture for Halls, who’s now taken a job as a personal trainer at Pure Gym in Gorton.

It’s a role that allows him to stay on top of his game, and also put money worries – sadly, a constant theme last term – to one side to sharpen his focus.

Efe Sodje and John Askey
 

“The manager has been great with me while I’ve been setting this up, he’s let me have time off when I’ve had to pursue that, if I needed to go on a course or see to other commitments,” continued Halls.

“I knew I had to get more income and he understands that, he worked while he was playing and he’s been a big help. John is an honest guy, that’s something everyone likes about him, and part of the reason I wanted to come back.

“He says when you’ve done well and when you’re out of line – he’s not a shouter but he talks honestly and that’s why the players are putting their bodies on the line for him. No one could have predicted this start we’ve had, with everything that’s gone on at the club, but we want to keep it going.

“John and Efe (Sodje) work us hard and drum the fundamentals into us and we’re reaping the benefits. And key to success so far – though it’s still early days – is a balanced, settled back four, I can’t honestly say we could be doing any better.

“We love keeping clean sheets, it’s a good habit to have and it’s nice to know you’ll be in the team again next week if you play well.”