Duo set to miss out as Maidstone face Macclesfield

Posted Friday, November 09, 2018 by PA

Non-league Maidstone are set to be missing Jack Doyle and Gold Omotayo for their FA Cup first round clash with League Two basement boys Macclesfield.

Doyle has returned to parent club Blackburn to have a scan on an ankle injury that ruled him out of the National League win over Barnet last weekend, while Omotayo, who scored United’s second goal on Saturday, has gone back to Bury after the end of his loan deal.

New signing Aryan Tajbakhsh, the midfielder who joined on Friday after a short trial at the club, is available to play.

Defender Rob Swaine sat out the Barnet game with a calf injury but could return to contention for the cup clash.

Macclesfield forward Ben Stephens, who scored in the 4-1 loss to Bury last weekend before being withdrawn in the second half because of an ankle issue, has trained since and is available for the tie.

Midfielder Elliott Durrell made his long-awaited return to match action in Tuesday’s Central League Cup game against Morecambe, having overcome his groin injury.

And joint caretaker boss Danny Whitaker – still sidelined himself due to a knee problem – has said Durrell will definitely play some part on Saturday.

It remains to be seen if there is any involvement for Callum Evans, who returned to full training on Monday as he stepped up his recovery from an ankle issue. Jordan Ponticelli (metatarsal) is meeting with his specialist next week and the hope is he will be able to make his comeback in December.