Macclesfield Town have dismissed transfer talk linking midfielder Danny Whitaker with a possible move to Preston North End.

Whitaker, 22, recently signed a new two-year deal at Moss Rose but speculation over his future intensified when he missed Sunday's defeat at York City because of a back injury.

But the Silkmen have taken steps to deny that the former Manchester United junior will be leaving for Preston.

"We wanted to nip this in the bud to prevent it from going any further," read a statement issued by Macclesfield.

"That we would not play one of our most important players at this stage of the season simply because another club is interested in taking a look at him is preposterous."