WORCESTER City head into tonight’s FA Cup replay at Rugby Town (7.45) knowing a lucrative home match against Lincoln City awaits.
City head to Butlin Road intent on setting up a fourth qualifying round clash against the Skrill Premier Imps at Aggborough, worth £12,500 to the winners, on Saturday, October 26.
But first they must see off the challenge of the Southern League Division One Central outfit a little over 72 hours after being held to a goalless draw on their own turf.
Both sides had chances to win the tie at the weekend, with Seb Lake-Gaskin missing the pick of the opportunities for lower-ranked Rugby and Aaron Williams off target for Worcester.
Manager Carl Heeley is hoping his team will have learned from the experience and won’t be as wasteful in Warwickshire.
He said: “We watched Rugby twice, we knew they were a decent footballing side so the players had the information.
“We didn’t manage to win but now they’ve played against them our players know what they’re up against and I think we’ve got a lot more to offer.
“We’ve shown on many occasions this season that we’re a better side than that. Perhaps they will relax a little bit more now.”
Heeley will also be trying to keep his players’ minds off the potential meeting with former Football League side Lincoln in the next round.
“We’re not there yet and neither are Rugby so we’ll forget about that,” he said. “Yes, we’ll know what we’ll have in front of us should we win but we’ve got to make sure we go and win first.
“As I’ve said many times, the fact that they are two divisions below does not matter because it isn’t a league game. It’s not over 42 games, it’s a one-off in the FA Cup and everybody’s equal.”
Central defender Shabir Khan is doubtful with a suspected hernia and, with Exodus Geohaghon having been released, could be replaced by Richard Munday.
Midfielder Phil Trainer is not expected to get the green light to play by parent club Nuneaton Town and his one-month loan deal is due to end this week.
Elsewhere in the FA Cup, City’s landlords Kidderminster Harriers will visit Skrill North outfit Bradford Park Avenue in the fourth qualifying round and Hereford United travel to Ryman League Premier Division outfit Hornchurch.
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