TRANMERE Rovers will spend Christmas morning on the training ground in preparation for a Boxing Day clash with Macclesfield.

One of two games over the festive weekend, the Moss Rose Ground fixture will be followed by a game against Altrincham at Prenton Park on Monday. Both games start at 3pm.

During a press conference this afternoon, manager Gary Brabin said the squad is working on the 'basic errors' that have cost them in recent games.

A relatively local rival for Tranmere, Macclesfield competed in the fourth tier of English football from 1997-2012.

Assessing their Boxing Day opponents, he said: "They are a team that have had a lot of form of late.

"They are a hardworking side and it's going to be a tough game.

"But at the end of the day it's about us.

"At the moment, everyone's taking points off everyone.

"We have to focus on ourselves.

"We need to tweak our performance.

"I never imagined being eight points off the play-off at Christmas. It's disappointing, so we need to work on that."

Brabin was frustrated that his side didn't take all three points from their away fixture at FC Halifax Town last Saturday.

The squad picked up a point from a 1-1 draw at the MBi Shay Stadium, but Brabin felt it could have been more.

Although disappointed, he was pleased with his team's defending and said the base is there to start moving back up the league table.

During this afternoon's press conference, Brabin said the draw was a step in the right direction, adding: "The honesty and integrity of the players warrants a win.

"We got the goal and went a goal up, but we need to get a win.

"I think we can still push for a place in the top five of the table."

Goalkeeper Scott Davies said: "The Christmas period defines a lot of team's seasons and we have to make sure we come out of it unscathed.

"I'll be here at 9.30am on Christmas Day and ready to go on Boxing Day.

"I still believe we will be fighting for promotion at the end of the season.

"Sometimes, it's just about looking after the other end and the goals will come.

"We have to make sure we get back to winning ways.

"The work we are putting in on the training ground will eventually pay off. We saw that on Saturday."

Meet the Boxing Day opponents - Macclesfield Town

Nickname: The Silkmen

Colours: Blue shirts, shorts and socks

Ground: Moss Rose Ground

Distance from Prenton Park: 50.5 miles

Position last season: Sixth