NAT BROWN is hoping to use this coming month’s loan spell at Macclesfield Town to either boost his chances of first-team football at Wrexham or put himself in the shop window for a permanent move away.

Brown yesterday went out on loan to League Two outfit Macclesfield Town, where he will be reunited with former Lincoln City boss Keith Alexander, and will hope to make his first appearance in tomorrow’s FA Cup first-round tie at Harlow.

But Brown, who was brought to the Racecourse by ex-boss Brian Little in the summer, wants to prove to present manager Dean Saunders he is worthy of a place in the Dragons side when he returns.

“I’m very happy to be going out on loan to Macclesfield,” said Brown. “I just want to get back playing.

“This will give me the chance to show I am worth a place in the side, but also it is at a team in a higher league and it will put me in the shop window. As a footballer you have to keep your options open.

“There’s a lot of centre-backs at Wrexham at the moment, and the gaffer has just said to everyone that they have to work hard and try to get into the side.

“But at my age I need to be playing first-team football and going to Macclesfield for a month will give me that opportunity.”

Brown, 27, is the second Dragons’ defender to go out on loan this week with Darran Kempson joining Blue Square Premier rivals Forest Green Rovers on Tuesday.

The pair have dropped down the pecking order under the new Saunders regime, with Ashley Westwood, who was the manager’s first signing, being paired with youngster Mike Williams.

Brown added: “To be fair I don’t know why I’m not playing, but the manager has his own ideas and you have to accept them.

“I’m looking forward to working with Keith (Alexander) again. I’ve known him for a long time and he knows all about me and what I can bring with me.”

Meanwhile, Wrexham will entertain former Football League club Southport in the fourth round of the Setanta Shield.

While a date is yet to be confirmed between the clubs for the tie, the scheduled date for the fourth round is the week commencing Monday, December 1.

Blue Square North side Southport lost their League status in 1978, and lost out in a second ballot to Wigan Athletic after the sides had drawn the first poll.

The Sandgrounders are presently second in the table, behind Tamworth on goal difference, and earned their place in the fourth round of the Shield with a 2-1 win at Stafford Rangers.