Eleventh-hour takeover talks are nearing a conclusion at the Moss Rose – and not before time, as Macclesfield Town must present their case for remaining in the Conference this weekend.

Amar Alkadhi’s selling of his majority shareholding is going ahead, in time for the Silkmen’s top brass to present a concrete plan for clearing their football-related debts and money owed to HRMC.

And manager John Askey is itching to get his squad rebuild under way, with a host of last season’s players set to return.

“I’ve had a lot of players getting in touch with me, including Connor Jennings, Paul Turnbull, Danny Whitaker, Steve Williams, Chris Holroyd, Jack Mackreth, George Pilkington and Rhys Taylor, as well as a lot of players from outside the club, who aren’t asking ridiculous money,” said the Macc boss. “But we have to work to a budget and I don’t know what that is but I imagine it’ll be about two-thirds of last season.

“Yes, it’s do-or-die time, but I’m pretty positive – the fact that we’re still here is a good thing, the main thing now is to get this done and start the season in the Conference.

“It’ll be a tough season but I’m keen to get going.”

Moss Rose, home of Macclesfield Town FC