BY the time Saturday’s FA Cup third qualifying round clash with Brackley Town rolls around, Warrington Town will have had a full week of preparation time – and manager Paul Carden has urged them to make it count.

Yellows were due to travel to Buxton in the BetVictor Northern Premier Division on Tuesday, but that game was postponed to give both sides more time to get ready for their cup dates with higher-league opposition.

It is a break that has come at a good time for Carden’s side, with full-back Shaun Beeley and midfielder Steve Jennings moving closer to full fitness.

Jack Mackreth and Dylan Vassallo also got valuable minutes under their belts in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Scarborough Athletic as they recover from groin and ankle injuries respectively.

“It gives us another chance to get a few more back,” the Town boss said.

“Dylan Vassallo and Steve Jennings have had knocks, Shaun Beeley is getting there but we’ll get a bit more fitness work into him this week.

“I’m really pleased Jack Mackreth came through as well as he did at Scarborough.

“We’re starting to get players back now and that’s where we need to be.”

Warrington Guardian:

Jack Mackreth came through 90 minutes against Scarborough on Saturday. Picture by John Hopkins

Left-back Louis Barnes (hamstring) remains a fitness doubt for the trip to St James’ Park while winger Jack Dunn (knee) is set for a long spell on the sidelines.

The draw could not have been much tougher on Town on and off the field – they face a 260-mile round trip to face a Brackley side that has spent several seasons competing at the top of the National League North.

They are in red-hot form, too, having thrashed Bradford Park Avenue 8-0 on Saturday and have excellent recent pedigree in cup competitions.

The Saints reached the second round proper of this competition as recently as the 2016-17 campaign and won the FA Trophy the following season.

With all this in mind, Carden sees Saturday as something of a free hit for his side.

“We can go there with no pressure on us. They are in the league above and will be expected to win,” he said.

“They’ve got some really good players – they’ve been in and around the play-offs for the past few seasons and have had good cup success.

“They spanked Bradford Park Avenue 8-0 on Saturday, so we know they will be full of beans.

“This will be a really good test for us. We can get some players back and get back on it.”

If Saturday’s game finishes all square, the sides will replay at Cantilever Park on Tuesday.

However, if there is a result either way, Yellows’ scheduled home league game against Lancaster City will go ahead.

Live text coverage of Brackley Town vs Warrington Town will be available at warringtonguardian.co.uk/sport