Silkmen boss Gary Simpson’s reward for resting George Donnelly could be apparent as Christmas comes around.
The Fleetwood Town loan striker has been forced to watch from the sidelines as Macc extended their unbeaten run.
And now that League Two leaders Southend United put an end to that streak, the hitman may make his return to action on Saturday when Macc travel to Burton Albion.
The 93-day maximum for emergency loans would have eliminated 23-year-old Donnelly for contention for the hectic schedule but he can now get back onto the business of adding to the two goals in six games he has so far.
"George was coming into a bit of form," said Simpson. "He’s been training with us but he’s not had any sort of football.
"We’ll have a look at things this week, I’m conscious that one or two are looking a bit leggy, and Scotty Kay has picked up a thigh injury this week. It’s an old injury and he’ll be struggling for this weekend.
"We’ve got Scott Boden on loan for another week, I’m not sure what (Chesterfield manager) John Sheridan has in mind so we’ll have a look next week. With Elliott Hewitt off on international duty again soon and maybe Arnaud Mendy as well, we’ll see how we’re shaping up."
As well as the three points at stake for Macc at the Pirelli Stadium, places are up for grabs for the FA Cup first-round tie at East Thurrock United.
Macc, who were handed a long journey to Essex to take on the Rocks, will assume the unusual mantle of giants for the clash against the team from the Ithsmian League.
"I don’t know anything about East Thurrock to be honest," conceded Simpson, "Other than that it’s their first time in the first round proper. But it’s the FA Cup and there are upsets all the time, we’ve got to be on our game because it will be difficult in terms of their pitch and because they’ll be putting an extra 20 or 30 per cent in. We’ve just got to be professional."
While the usual transfer talk surrounds the Silkmen’s young stars such as Hewitt and Ross Draper, who served a one-match ban against the Shrimpers, Simpson himself has been mentioned as a likely target when bigger clubs need a man to fill their hot seat.
Clearly happier to shun such attention, the Macc boss said: "I’m quite happy where I am, I’ve been through a hell of a lot at this club. I like the people I work for, the chairman and vice-chairman (Mike Rance and Andy Scott) are as good as any you could wish to work for. We know where we stand with each other ancd I think the three of us work well together, with some great backroom staff too.
"I’m trying to build a football club and bring some success to this club, and if the day ever does come when I decide to leave I think I’ll leave behind a good squad. Me and the Gaffer (Keith Alexander) did that at Lincoln, we did it again at Peterborough and I’m sure we would have done with more time at Bury."
Focusing on nothing more than this Saturday, Simpson predicts a tricky afternoon at Burton, insisting: "They’ve got two strikers as good as any in the division, two quick and direct wingers, energetic midfield players that try to play football, and they’re strong and solid at the back.
"It will be a tough game."
