CRAIG HIGNETT is keeping his fingers crossed he will be fit in time to face Macclesfield this weekend.

The former Middlesbrough man limped off in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Northampton Town at the Williamson Motors Stadium with a recurrence of a groin injury.

Making only his second competitive appearance of the season, Hignett pulled up shortly after giving Quakers a 23rd minute lead - his second goal in as many games.

And now the 34-year-old faces a race against the clock for Saturday's trip to Moss Rose.

"I knew within five minutes of scoring that I wasn't going to be able to carry on," said Hignett.

"I did my groin on Tuesday and I haven't been able to train for the rest of the week.

"It's disappointing but hopefully with a bit of rest and some treatment I will be OK for the Macclesfield game."

Hignett's former Boro teammate, Alun Armstrong, defied the odds to play the full 90 minutes on his debut.

Like Hignett, Armstrong is still short of match practice after being released by Ipswich Town during the summer.

However, Hignett believes the striker can only benefit with more games under his belt.

"Alun is similar to me in that he hasn't played much football and the more games we can both get in the better," said Hignett.

Despite a below par performance, Hignett remained upbeat after Quakers extended their unbeaten run to five games.

"The gaffer wasn't too happy about the way we played but the positive side of it is we got a point out of it," said Hodgson.

"We were second to everything in the first half. We haven't been starting games well and we did the same at Rochdale last week.

"The second half was an improvement but I think we have to be pleased with a point."

And Hignett was full of praise for Quakers keeper Sam Russell, whose man-of-the-match display earned his side a point.

"We had to rely on our keeper to make some fantastic saves to get us a point," said Hignett.

Read more about the Quakers here.