SAM RICKETTS insists a cup run will not interfere with Wrexham's promotion challenge.

Wrexham, second in the National League, turn their attention to the FA Cup on Saturday with the Reds heading to Harrogate Town for their fourth qualifying round tie.

Although the push for a top-seven finish remains the priority, Ricketts would love a good run in the competition and emulate previous Wrexham sides who made cup headlines.

"We have got a squad more than capable of playing the extra games that the FA Cup would bring," said Ricketts.

"In the early rounds it is a free weekend anyway so it doesn't make any difference to our fixtures.

"It is a huge opportunity for the club to achieve something, promote the club and hopefully give the fans a good cup story on top of the league performances.

"It is a great competition. Wrexham have had a fantastic history in the FA Cup and I would love to have an opportunity to put Wrexham even more on the map than what they already are with a cup run. "It would be fantastic for the players but more importantly for the fans if we can go on a bit of a journey.

"You all need a little bit of luck in the cup, hopefully we can get a little bit and see where it takes us."

Wrexham have won their last three games since drawing 0-0 at Harrogate on September 25 and are on the same amount of points as leaders Salford City.

Although he could be excused for preferring to continue the promotion bid with his side in a rich vein of form, Ricketts says the FA Cup is not an unwelcome distraction.

"We can keep the momentum going which is a good thing to have," said Ricketts.

"A different reward for winning, it is through to the next round and not three points but the same principle - you still want to win.

"Nothing will change in preparation, we are on a good run so we want to maintain that."

Ricketts admits Wrexham, who have been knocked out of the competition at this stage in each of the last three seasons and last reached the first round in 2014-15, have been handed a tough clash against fellow National League high-fliers Harrogate.

"There are easier and harder games we could have had but it is a good test for us," said Ricketts.

"Like any game, we are going to have to play well to give us a chance of going through.

"Obviously we went there a few weeks ago so we know it will be a tough game against a side which has got really good momentum from last year.

"They have started the season really and it is a tough place to go."

Wrexham went onto reach the third round four seasons ago and Mark Carrington, the Reds' current longest serving player, gave his side the lead at Premier League side Stoke City who hit back to win 3-1.

Reaching that stage of the competition would represent a good cup run in Ricketts' eyes.

"If you look at good cup runs, I think you need to get to the third and fourth round," added Ricketts.

"If you get to the first or second round it is okay but for it to be classed as a good cup run, third and fourth round is where people start to take notice."