THE Wrexham players will be well-versed if tomorrow’s FA Cup fourth qualifying round tie against Solihull Moors is decided on a penalty shoot-out.

With the coronavirus pandemic leading to an adjusted fixture schedule for the 2020-21 season, the FA has taken the decision to scrap replays in the knockout competition to ease the pressure on clubs.

Drawn matches will go straight to extra time, but that only kicks in from the first round onwards so if Wrexham and Solihull finish level after 90 minutes at Damson Park, spot-kicks will determine who goes through.

And Wrexham boss Dean Keates will be hoping practice pays off if that is the outcome.

“We do actually practice penalties as much as we can,” said Keates. “We finish most training sessions off with a small-sided game and if it is a draw, the lads finish on a penalty shoot-out anyway.

“It is something we will look at just to make sure we are ready to go if that does happen.”

Keates welcomed the fact there is no extra-time, let alone a replay, with the fixtures coming thick and fast.

“I think some common sense has finally caved in,” said Keates. “You just wouldn’t be able fit replays into the fixture list this season.

"There is that much congestion with what has happened with covid.

"Even not going to extra-time and straight to penalties makes sense.”

Although challenging for promotion is the priority, and Keates has a mounting injury list, he is taking the FA Cup seriously.

"We team will be as strong as we can put out there," said Keates, who is definitely without Paul Rutherford and Shaun Pearson.

"Every game is massive for this football club.

"We want to go forward. We had a massive disappointment last season and we want to give the town something to be proud of.

"We are disappointed with the last two games but we take it on the chin.

"We have always taken the rough with the smooth and we have got a chance at the weekend to put it right, and then it leads into two home games."