Throbbing gristle

Macclesfield boss Gil Prescott will give ex-Oxford 'striker' Steve Anthrobus a chance to impress this evening in a friendly at Altrincham. Let's hope that Throb scores plenty of goals for the Silkmen tonight and that they sign him on in their desparate quest for a striker. That way we can be sure that they will provide no threat to United when we meet them in the league this season.

Simon Betts, who played on trial for United at Didcot, has signed a two year contract with Darlington, for whom he played on Saturday. It is thought that Mark Wright was also keen to sign the left back.

Matty Elliott is once more being linked with a move to Celtic, although this time the alleged price has risen by 50% to £3 million. Worth every penny too.

Former United Canadian defender Mark Watson, now a member of Major League Soccer's D.C. United, will undergo foot surgery on Tuesday that could sideline him for the rest of the season. Watson needs a screw inserting in a stress fracture in his right foot.