The Silkmen's ranks were strengthened today with the signing of defender Ryan Cresswell from Sheffield United. The 20 year old centre half has put pen to paper on a loan deal that will see him stay at the Moss Rose for the remainder of the 2007/08 season.

Whilst yet to make his first team debut for the Blades, Ryan has had previous loan spells with Halifax Town last season and this year at both Rotherham United and more recently Morecambe.

"I am delighted to get Ryan down to the Moss Rose as I know that he is a player that Brian Robson rates highly. At 6ft 2in he has the height that we have probably been lacking at the back and certainly adds to our defensive options. He's a young lad and clearly keen to do well after two frustrating loan periods earlier this season that haven't really worked out for him. So I am confident it will be a case of 3^rd time lucky for him and us."

"It's important at this stage of the season that we freshen the squad up and I am grateful to the board for supporting me in the transfer market. I am hoping to be able to announce a couple more signings later this week, one of which we are very close to agreeing. But until the papers are signed I don't really want to say too much more. Suffice to say however that it has been a busy time on the telephone but hopefully time that will turn out to be productive and prove to be the catalyst for an upturn in results."