Craig Braham-Barrett is relishing the chance to go toe-to-toe with one of his favourite players this Saturday.

The left-back, who ignored rumours that bigger boys were coming calling, committed his future to the Silkmen during the transfer window last week.

And, with a chance to test himself against Wigan’s Maynor Figueroa in the fourth-round tie looming large, the jet-heeled defender can’t wait to get going.

“Everyone’s excited about the FA Cup game, everyone is buzzing,” said the former Charlton Athletic youngster. “It’ll be a good experience. I’ve never got this far in the FA Cup.

“I’m going to be up against Figueroa, he’s one of my favourite players as well so I’m hoping to nick his shirt after the game.

“I’d like to test myself against players at that level and I’ll judge myself afterwards.”

Braham-Barrett came to Macc from Sutton United in last year’s summer of upheaval and has become one of the first names on manager Steve King’s team sheet.

And his contentment at the Moss Rose, where he reunited  with King – his manager at Farnborough –means he was delighted to sign on the dotted line when his performances were rewarded with a new and improved deal.

“I love it here, I’m happy to be back full-time and at a club like this, that’s just come out of League Two.

“We’ve got a great manager and that’s why I’ve committed myself.

“I’m buzzing about my new deal. There were a lot of rumours flying around, with people saying there was interest from here or there, but what’s the point of me moving if I’m at a club I love and I’m happy? I just hope some of the others are going to put pen to paper too.

“You hear rumours from agents trying to contact you but when you’re playing at a club you just try to block it out because if someone’s interested then they will put in a bid.

“And the fans are amazing here, they’re good with me. I know the left-back (Carl Tremarco)  that was here before was a big fan favourite but I’m enjoying it and the fans are right behind me so that’s pleasing. We’re playing good football and it suits me massively.”

Arguably one of the most forward-thinking full-backs around,   Braham-Barrett admits he found it difficult to adjust at first when he was switched from a striking role.

“I’m a frustrated forward,” he concedes. “I was a forward when I was at Charlton, and a guy called Steve Avory (the Addicks‘ academy manager)  said he wanted to try me at left-back.

“I thought ‘what?’ and at first I couldn’t take to it. To be honest since I’ve met up with Steve King again I’ve loved it, that’s my position now.

“I don’t mind filling in at right back sometimes but I love being left-back.

“The gaffer encourages me to get forward more than I do.

“Sometimes I don’t want to get forward – especially late in a game when I’m tired – but he’ll be there calling my name telling me to go on.”

Braham-Barrett admits he was amazed that Saturday’s game against Kidderminster was able to take place, thanks to the efforts of ground staff and volunteers giving up their time to clear the pitch of snow.

And he is adamant that the Silkmen can take the confidence from their FA Cup run and transfer it into success in the league, insisting: “Beating Kidderminster was a massive win for us, that’s what we wanted so we’re buzzing.

“The effort from everyone to get the game on was amazing. I never thought it was going to be on, with the weather forecast too but it just shows that the fans got behind us and got the ground ready. The surface was perfect. I never thought it would be that good so I was quite happy.

“The gaffer said to us the day before that the game was on and we thought ‘what?’ – obviously you prepare yourself properly in case it’s on so I was happy and to come away with the three points was great.

“We’ve underachieved this season and it’s the right time for us to push on now.

“We can put a run together and we will be in the play-offs at the end of the season. We wanted to be further up than we are but we’ll definitely be in the play-offs.”