AN INJURY crisis is currently engulfing the Macclesfied Town squad and boss Gary Simpson is struggling to fill a matchday squad for tomorrow's visit of Cheltenham Town.

Simpson is currently without ten members of his first-team squad due to injury and has admitted that his squad is "down to the bare bones."

New signing Dwayne Mattis became the latest victim of the curse after he scored on his debut for the Silkmen at AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday night.

The former Walsall and Chesterfield midfielder signed for Macclesfield on Monday and put his new side into the lead in London, before being forced from the field with an ankle injury.

Simpson had already lost experienced skipper and defender Paul Morgan at half-time and midfielder Colin Daniel before the game, while striker George Donnelly is also struggling with an ankle problem.

The injury problems took their toll as despite taking the lead through Mattis' debut strike, the Dons hit back to take a 2-1 win that left Simpson ruing his luck.

"We've got around ten players out and it's unbelievable," Simpson said. "We're really struggling at the minute.

"I only just managed to fill the bench and I'm down to the bare bones. We'll have to check stock and see what we can do.

"After the first half, I thought we did very well. We did well to hang in and second half we took it to them, it was just the naivety at the end from a youngster that cost us – but that's all we have."

Cape Verde international goalkeeper Jose Vega is one constant in the Silkmen's line-up and he will start behind a back four that is already without suspended talisman Nat Brown.

Wales youth international Elliott Hewitt will start at right-back with experienced former Tranmere Rovers defender Carl Tremarco at left-back.

If fit, long-serving Morgan will partner Shaun Brisley at the heart of the defence.

The midfield will be anchored by Frenchman Arnaud Mendy, the scorer of a spectacular goal in the recent FA Cup third-round tie against Premier League club Bolton Wanderers.

Mendy partnered Mattis on Tuesday night, and the one-time Huddersfield Town man will be hopeful of being fit to make a home debut against the Robins.

On the flanks, former Sheffield Wednesday flyer Matthew Hamshaw will start on the right with another Frenchman, Tony Diagne on the left.

Up front, Donnelly, a recruit from Blue Square Bet Premier title chasers Fleetwood Town, has three goals in 16 starts since making the switch to Moss Rose.

Donnelly will be partnered by yet another recruit from the nonLeague ranks in Ben Mills, who moved from Nantwich Town for an undisclosed five-figure fee earlier in January.