SAM RICKETTS revealed Wayne Hatswell predicted that Wrexham and Newport County would draw each other in the FA Cup.

Reds boss Ricketts and Hatswell, assistant manager to Exiles chief Mike Flynn, are good mates and exchanged text messages ahead of the second round draw.

The teams were paired together in all-Welsh tie and Ricketts, who knows Hatswell through the Football Association of Wales' Pro Licence coaching course and was a team-mate at Oxford United, said Hatswell had a strong feeling they would be going head to head for a place in the third round of the famous competition.

"I have come across Flynny over the years as a player and then I have come across him now on this side," said Ricketts.

"I saw him and had a chat with him at the Welsh convention in the summer and I know his number two, Wayne Hatswell, really well.

"Myself and Wayne were texting each other before the FA Cup draw and he said about us playing each other.

"As soon as it came out, I think after about five seconds we both sent a text message to each other coming through at the same time.

"I blamed him for predicting that one!"

The text messages are likely to continue in the run-up to tomorrow's clash at The Racecourse, which is being televised live by BT Sport, but that won't take any focus off the job in hand come kick-off.

"I don't mind that," said Ricketts.

"It doesn't make any difference to me but rest assured that when Saturday night comes, there will be no inch given."

Maintaining the promotion challenge is the priority but Ricketts, who took up his first managerial appointment with Wrexham in May, has stressed he was taking the FA Cup seriously.

Ricketts never won the competition as a player but he didn't have a bad record.

The former Wales international helped Telford United, then playing in the Conference, reach the fourth round in 2003-4 with the Bucks claiming the scalps of Brentford and Crewe before bowing out to eventual finalists Millwall.

Ricketts went even further in the cup with Bolton Wanderers, then a Premier League side, during the 2010-11 season but the Trotters lost 5-0 against Stoke City in the semi-finals.

Wrexham, who reached this stage after beating Harrogate Town and Weston-super-Mare, will aim to cause an upset against League Two Newport and Ricketts challenged his players to make their own memories.

"It means an awful lot, you are getting to play against teams you wouldn't normally do so," said Ricketts.

"You get an opportunity to play against higher division sides.

"From my time in non-league with Telford, we got to the fourth round and got beat by Millwall who eventually got to the final against Manchester United.

"As a player, you remember that cup run. You remember going to Crewe who at the time were in the Championship and beating them 1-0.

"You remember games like that and this is our opportunity to do like-wise."

Ricketts is expecting a tough game but believes his side are more than capable of progressing past Newport if they play to their full potential.

"The FA Cup is something different and it is something that can excite the fans," added Ricketts.

"It gets a bit of publicity for the clubs and the players and it will be a game with a lot of interest.

"We know we will have to play well but we are more than capable of winning the game if we put a good performance in."