Steve King said he was delighted with his transfer deadline-day activity, with four new faces coming to the Moss Rose.

Thursday saw an unusual amount of action at Macc, who would usually be looking to the loan market for their mid-season intakes.

But King signed up goalkeeper Rhys Taylor, central midfielder Darren Murphy and two forwards, Micah Evans and Jonny Gorman, in the evening.

Shrewsbury Town granted Macc a seven-day emergency loan for Joe Anyon to play in the FA Cup game against Wigan but  King now has a more permanent replacement for Cronin, one with international caps to his name.

Taylor, 22, learned his trade at Chelsea and although he was mainly used in the youth and reserve teams he has first-team experience with Crewe and Rotherham.

Taylor  has also represented Wales up to Under-21 level.

Midfielder Murphy has a proven track record from his time at Stevenage.

The 27-year-old won the FA Trophy and successive promotions from the Conference to League One with Stevenage before an ultimately unsuccessful stint at Port Vale.

The Irishman began his career with Cobh Ramblers and then Cork City, and first played in the English game with Stevenage where he was part of the FA Trophy-winning side of 2008.

He also helped them climb from the Conference to League One with successive promotions

After his six-month stay at Vale Park was limited by injury he was released by the League Two title-chasers in January.

There’s also a fresh injection of pace, with Blackburn striker Micah Evans coming in.

A product of the Ewood Park youth system, 19-year-old Evans had a  loan spell at League Two Accrington Stanley and has been out on loan again this season, featuring for former Stanley boss Paul Cook’s Chesterfield.

There’s yet more international  quality now on the books, with striker/winger Gorman.

The Wolves player featured in Northern Ireland’s European Championship qualification campaign, and has represented his country at each level up to the seniors from Under-16.

While he concedes that his hand had been forced in bringing in a deputy to take Lance Cronin’s place in goal, he was happy with the new recruits.

“A goalkeeper was a priority, obviously,” he said.

“He’s been seeing a specialist and he was going to have an MRI scan on Friday, so we won’t know how badly damaged his hand is until we get the results from that scan.

“Unfortunately he could be out for a few months so we’ll have to play it by ear, but Rhys obviously has a great pedigree”

Meanwhile, striker Amari Morgan-Smith has gone out on loan for a month.

The former Stockport man joined Macc at the close of the summer transfer window, but has found first-team opportunities limited in recent weeks.

The former England C international has joined Kidderminster Harriers, managed by former Silkman Steve Burr, on a month’s deal.

Two more players, Arthur Gnahoua and Junior Konadu are heading out to sides a level below Macc Town on month-long loan deals.

Striker Gnahoua is joining Conference North side Colwyn Bay, while Konadu has signed up with Conference South side Chelmsford City.

MACC’S Cheshire County FA Senior Cup visit to Stalybridge Celtic was called off on Tuesday afternoon, after snowfall made the Bower Fold pitch unplayable.