Forest Green vs Macclesfield preview
Friday 12 April 2019 10:41, UK
Forest Green are close to full strength ahead of the visit of Macclesfield in Sky Bet League Two this weekend.
The only question mark rests over the fitness of midfielder Paul Digby, who has an ongoing ankle injury and complained of soreness after being substituted during the 2-1 win at Crawley.
Lee Collins appeared from the bench at The People's Pension Stadium after missing three matches with a calf problem and manager Mark Cooper said Rovers are in "a good place" heading into the closing weeks of the season. Victory on Saturday would strengthen the club's grip on a play-off position as they currently sit sixth.
Macclesfield's battle is at the other end of the table, where they hold a cushion of only two points over the relegation zone with five matches to play. Sol Campbell's side have hit form in the nick of time, though, and head to The New Lawn on an unbeaten run of five matches.
Fitness fortune has favoured the Silkmen, too, with no fresh injury worries to report after a shock win against Exeter. Rhys Taylor remains sidelined by a hip injury, while Jamie Grimes (concussion) has not played since January.
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Whilst this will be Macclesfield's first ever visit to the New Lawn in the Football League, Forest Green won their last home match versus the Silkmen in all competitions, a 1-0 triumph in last season's FA Cup first round.
The reverse meeting between Forest Green and Macclesfield in League Two this season finished 1-1, Scott Wilson equalizing for the Silkmen after Dayle Grubb's opener.
Forest Green Rovers have only suffered one defeat in their last five league games (W3 D1), this after having lost five of the six beforehand (W1).
Macclesfield's five-game unbeaten run is their best such streak in League Two this season (W2 D3).
Macclesfield have lost a joint-high 15 points from leading positions in away games in League Two this season, while they are yet to recover a single point after going behind in an away match in the competition in 2018-19.