BRIAN Horton has ruled out a move for former Walsall midfielder Pedro Mathias ahead of the weekend clash with lowly Kidderminster Harriers.
Mathias has been spotted at Moss Rose during last weekend's victory against Grimsby Town, but Horton said he will not be signing the Spaniard - who enjoyed a five-month loan spell at Moss Rose in the 1998/9 season and has been training with Shrewsbury Town.
"Iéve never spoken to him and didnét know he was at the game until I was told afterwards," Horton told Express Sport.
"John (Askey) asked me whether he can train with us, and I said sure, but I will not be signing him."
Another rumour Horton moved quickly to dispel regarded speculation in the Sunday Express newspaper that he is ready to step into Sammy McIlroyés shoes at Stockport County.
He said: "Football is daft at the moment, and to talk about someoneés job after six or seven games is beyond me.
"I know Sammy McIlroy and especially Mark Lillis particularly well and I canét understand where the speculation has come from.
"Iém happy here at Macclesfield Town and am enjoying my job."
Horton has something of a selection dilemma ahead of Saturday's game at Aggborough with John Miles, Alan Fettis and Paul Harsley all pushing for a starting place.
Fettis was said to be disappointed with his exclusion from the side against Grimsby, and both Harsley and Miles made scoring contributions from the bench.
"Ités a great problem to have," said Horton. "Alan Fettis was a bit frustrated not be included against Grimsby, but how could I leave out Willo (Steve Wilson) after the Chester game? He was superb.
"Apart from the cock-up in the first half, I thought Willo was very good again on Saturday."
Horton also defended his choice of midfielders against Grimsby after a negative crowd reaction when he swapped Mike Sheron and Danny Whitaker for Harsley and Miles.
He said: "I can understand that the fans want to see Harsley and Whitty (Whitaker) play together, and they might do in the future.
"But Tommy Widdrington is the best defensive midfielder we have got and I canét be too gung-ho about everything I do. Ités about winning games. I went with three strikers and it went OK in the end."
With Matt Carragher, Karl Vernon and Steve Payne all back in training, Horton will soon have a full squad to choose from.
But first Macc must overcome Kidderminster Harriers - currently whipping boys of League Two.
"Weéve got to be professional. If we go there and do the best we can I canét ask for any more.
"Ités great to be back up in fifth place and who knows, a win might take us even higher on Saturday.
"But weéve got to go to Kidderminster and get a result, that's the main thing."
