IT’S a fortnight since Wrexham were last in action but Andy Morrell is confident there will be no ill effects as his players attempt to secure a place in the second round of the FA Cup.
Wrexham, whose game at Braintree last weekend was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch, take on Alfreton Town at The Racecourse (3pm) in tomorrow’s all-Conference first round tie.
Player-boss Morrell accepts Wrexham start as favourites but knows they could exit the competition if Nicky Law’s side are taken for granted.
“We have not had a game for two weeks now so I am hoping the lads are champing at the bit ready to go,” said Morrell. “They trained really well last week, I was really pleased with that, and it continued this week.
“Hopefully we can translate that into performances and start really well but it is going to be a tough game.
“We have got to be right at it because if we are complacent, Alfreton are a team that can take advantage. So we have to be focused and have the right attitude.”
Alfreton will be boosted by their 1-0 victory at Wrexham in April and Morrell knows the visitors won’t have anything to fear.
“They beat us last year, there’s a lot of positives for them so they will come and say nothing to lose,” said Morrell.
“But we are the same. We can go into it care-free and give it a go, look to try and play some football, get right at them and see what happens.”
Third placed Wrexham, four points behind leaders Newport County with a game in hand, continue their promotion charge at Southport on Tuesday but Morrell is just concerned about continuing the cup run before returning to the league.
“We are a game behind in the league so we are looking to get that board ticking again as soon as possible,” said Morrell. “But we are all focussed on trying to get into that hat firstly and then we will worry about Southport.”
Morrell hopes to have centre-back Martin Riley, who has missed one game, and striker Rob Ogleby, absent for the last four matches, available once again now the duo have returned to full training.
But as he is able to name seven substitutes in the FA Cup, Morrell is toying with the idea of naming the pair on the bench before restoring them to the starting line-up.
“Riles trained yesterday so we will see if there is any reaction from it because he did the same last week and was a bit tight,” said Morrell.
“Rob has got through two days now and looks okay so we have a look at whether it is worthwhile sticking them in the squad or not.
“We have obviously got the seven substitutes as well so it might be a chance to stick everyone in there and depending on the game, we will take it from there.
“I don't know if I would risk them straight away because it is a long old season so we have to make sure they are fully right before we throw them back in.”
Striker Brett Ormerod is definitely out while loanee Danny Alfei is not eligible so either Stephen Wright or Declan Walker will line-up at right-back.
“Declan just felt his hamstring a little bit in the reserves,” added Morrell. “We will check on him.”
The draw for the second round of the FA Cup will take place on Sunday on ITV at 2.40pm with Wrexham or Alfreton’s number being 25.