MacDonald happy with defensive options

With Aaron Oakley injured and Darren Ward only given 45 minutes, MacDonald chose to use centre-forward Benson and right-back Caddis in the middle at the Webb’s Wood Stadium.

However, with Grant Hall now signed on permanently and Troy Archibald-Henville nearing a return to training, MacDonald is more comfortable with the defensive resources at his disposal than those in midfield - particularly with trialists Daniel Devine and Denis Abdulahi offering extra cover.

“Paul (Benson) played in defence because we needed to play trialists at centre forward, and we just felt Paul was better equipped to play at the back,” said MacDonald. “To be fair to Paul he was happy to play there just to get the 45 minutes under his belt. “We have (Nathan) Thompson, Caddis, Hall, Ward, (Alex) Smith and (Matty) Jones, and we have Devine on trial and Abdulahi here too, so if anything I think we have more of a shortage in midfield.

“Daniel has done okay although it’s just the first week. I know him from Villa but it’s been 18 months or so since then, but he needs to catch up with the lads who was here a week before.

“If he gets as run out we will see, but until then we can’t comment. He is still a similar player to the one I remember because he puts his body about and likes to defend, and he likes to put his head in there and kick it too. He enjoys the physical battle, and he is probably what you would class as an old fashioned centre-half. “ MacDonald has been particularly impressed by second-year scholar Jones.

“He was a sub for the first team last season and has come back in with the professionals this season, and I will look at him as a potential first team player, but there are plenty of others here too,” he said.

“He has done very well, as have the likes of Francis and Waldon, and the guys like them who got on the bench last season have to get another opportunity.”