Macclesfield Town's players and staff say Saturday's League Two match against Crewe will NOT take place.

As of last night, the staff and players' wages remained unpaid, following last month's late payments.

A statement from the Silkmen's players and staff read: "As a group, we'd like to inform the EFL and Crewe Alexandra Football Club that the game on Saturday won't be taking place despite growing reports that it is 'business as usual.'

"This is down to the fact that salaries have not been paid for last month.

"We have not trained as a squad since last Thursday due to the fact we have no training ground but, most importantly, the game can't go ahead for the emotional and mental well-being of the players which is currently rock bottom.

"We hope that our own fans, who have been tremendous, Crewe fans and the whole of the football community can understand this decision with it being such an important month for us all on and off the pitch."

Players first issued an ultimatum to owner Amar Alkadhi on Monday, saying they would go on strike again if they were not paid the wages they are owed.

The club's first-team have already been on strike over unpaid salaries this season, forcing the club to field an inexperienced team in their FA Cup first-round tie at home against Kingstonian on November 10.

Macclesfield were, subsequently, charged with misconduct by the English Football League and referred to a disciplinary panel after failing to pay their players on time.

The threat of a further strike for their League Two fixture against Mansfield was averted when the majority of players' outstanding salaries were understood to have been settled in full.

The news comes a day after former Macclesfield manager Sol Campbell backed a bid from HM Revenue and Customs to wind up the club.

The High Court was told yesterday the 45-year-old former England defender, who now manages League One club Southend, is owed more than £180,000 by the club.

A winding-up petition issued over an unpaid tax bill was, eventually, adjourned for an eighth time.

The financially-troubled club will now appear again before the court over their debts on December 18.

Macclesfield are 14th in League Two on 23 points, while Carlisle are 21st in the league on 19 points.

Last month, goals from Harry McKirdy and Ryan Loft saw United claim a 2-1 home win against the Silkmen.