Macclesfield Town forward Martin Gritton is fighting to be fit for Saturday's opening game of the season clash with Bradford City. Tonsillitis has struck down the Silkmen player but manager Ian Brightwell he is hoping he will be okay for the game this weekend.

"Martin's been suffering this week with a bout of tonsillitis which has left him feeling under the weather and unable to take a full part in training. The doctor has subscribed a course of antibiotics which hopefully will do the trick and ensure he is available for selection on Saturday," explained Brightwell. "I thought he did really well for us against Oldham after coming on to replace Michael Husbands in the second half. He's an experienced performer and puts himself about a bit which is something you have to do at this level."

Gritton enjoyed a spell at Mansfield Town between January and April of last season scoring six times in fourteen league starts for the Stags. His former club are said to sweating on the fitness of four players themselves ahead of their opening match. Manager Billy Dearden already has on D'Laryea and Simon Brown sidelined due to ankle injuries. They are also waiting on news of Dan Martin (calf strain), Martin McIntosh (dead leg), Michael Boulding (tight hamstring) and Alex John-Baptiste (throat infection).

"We could do without it, but it's the same for everyone at this time of season," said Dearden. "I think Dan Martin's injury is a recurrence of the one he picked up at Belper. He has the least chance of playing at Brentford though Oldham (Carling Cup) is a possibility as it gives him four more days to recover. Martin has a dead leg on his thigh after a challenge by Danny Cadamarteri and Micky's hamstring is tight, but we are hopeful they will make it."

Mansfield open their season with a tough game against Brentford. The Bees have had a busy summer recruiting nine players. Midfield Gary Smith is one of the signings. Having been rejected by former Brentford manager Martin Allen when he was at MK Dons Smith is determined to repay the faith shown in him by current Bees boss Terry Butcher.

"I hope things work out better for me under Terry," said Smith. "I made 80 appearance in three years with MK Dons, but played only 23 times under Martin Allen last season because of injury. I then hurt my foot, which caused me to miss the play-offs, and Martin told me he was not renewing my contract. He can be eccentric and perhaps, at times, rules a bit by fear. On the other hand, he enjoys a laugh, but he likes things done his way and I wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of him. He is passionate and commands respect from his players without getting too close to them. I found him hard but fair. Terry seems very different and more relaxed."