Steven Pressley has called on Carlisle United to play more “fast, aggressive football” as they bid to return to winning ways against Macclesfield today.

The 20th-placed Blues will take on the cash-strapped Silkmen this afternoon (3pm kick-off, Brunton Park) after last weekend’s 1-1 draw at Leyton Orient ended a run of four straight League Two losses.

United will be without centre-back Byron Webster who serves a one-match ban and right-back Christie Elliott through a long-term ankle injury, while playmaker Stefan Scougall is a doubt.

“I hope we can continue from the second half on Saturday, where we played very fast, aggressive football and created a lot of good opportunities," Pressley said.

“That’s what we want to do here."

In east London, the Blues were 1-0 down at half-time but Jack Iredale’s first goal in English football earned them a point after loan frontman Olufela Olomola came on at the break, and the 22-year-old will hope to have done enough to earn a recall.

Another of the Blues’ attackers who will want to be given the opportunity to start is Elias Sorensen, after Newcastle United Under-23s boss Neil Redfearn this week said he is concerned at the Danish striker’s lack of first-team opportunities at Carlisle.

On Redfearn’s comments, Pressley said: “I think he is right.

“If I was Newcastle, and I was Neil, then my concern is the development of my own young player that is out on loan. If he is not getting the game time, then fully understandably, they [will] review the situation.

"That will be the same with any young player who goes on loan."

Scot Pressley added: "Their concern has got to be the development of their young player. Our concern, of course, is the development of our team and the progress of our own team.

"Whether he is playing or not, Elias has been treated extremely well. We work hard with him in the afternoons.

"We try to develop him as a player, now he might not have had the game time that they hoped, but, certainly with the way he is being looked after, there can be no complaints."

Reports have suggested Macclesfield’s players and staff have been told by the club they will not be paid October’s wages on time, although Pressley says his focus is on his side, and not what is happening at the Cheshire club.

On Daryl McMahon’s side, which includes former United frontman Arthur Gnahoua, Pressley said: “They have some good technical players.

“They are sitting 15th in the league which, considering the upheaval and the difficulties they have had, it’s a good return. They also have actually lost once in their last four games, so they are showing some form.

"Make no mistake, it’s not going to be an easy game, but it’s a game at home that we are going to have to look to win.”