Steve King’s proudest day in football management is right around the corner – but he’s still got his eyes on the main prize.

Macclesfield – one of just two non-league sides left in the FA Cup competition – take on Premier League strugglers Wigan Athletic this Saturday in a sell-out fourth-round tie.

And while King will be swelled with pride when Latics come to town, he remains focused on his aim of steering the Silkmen back into promotion contention.

“Cup runs are brilliant but the bread and butter of the league is the most important thing,” said King after his side exacted some revenge on Kidderminster with Waide Fairhurst’s second-half winner on Saturday.

“I know the boys are looking forward to Wigan, and so they all should, it’s the chance of a lifetime for them.

“And if they apply themselves properly then all I can ask of them is that they give a good account of themselves, that’s the most important thing to me. We don’t want to get embarrassed.

“We’ve had Wigan watched, and Eddie Howe (Bournemouth manager) sent me a DVD of their game in the third round too so it’s all going to come down to who they send on the day and who they play.

“We’ll see who turns out.”

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has vowed not to tread the same path that Cardiff City followed in round three.

Then, Bluebirds boss Malky Mackay made 11 changes to his side and paid the price as his youthful ‘fringe’ side fell foul of the Silkmen and their leading scorer Matthew Barnes-Homer.

With his Wigan side second-bottom of the Premier League, the Spaniard is facing a testing second half of the season but insisted he’ll show the Silkmen the necessary respect, saying: “It’s going to be a difficult tie. Macclesfield deserve all the media attention they get.

“To beat the Championship leaders is not an easy task.”

Another positive that King can draw on from Saturday’s victory over the Harriers – one that saw Macc rise to ninth in the table – was the debut of defender Thierry Audel.

Playing at right-back, the Frenchman looked assured and composed and was a willing support runner in Macc attacks.

And King said that the former Pisa man will get even better once he gets game-time under his belt.

“Thierry came in and did ever so well, he looks a beast,” added the Macc manager.

“He’s only going to improve, he hasn’t played for six months. He’s trained with us and had a run-out in a couple of matches behind closed doors so long may he continue.

“It does give me a selection problem with Jacko (Ryan Jackson) available again but you want these problems – it’s when you don’t have these that it becomes a problem.”

THE SILKMEN’S Tuesday night match at Tamworth fell foul of the recent treacherous weather. The game will now be played on Tuesday, February 12.