DAVID Unsworth insists he does not fear taking on Wrexham in the FA Cup first round, despite them being at opposite ends of the National League table.

Wrexham are flying high a point and a place behind leaders Notts County, while Unsworth’s Latics are just two points and two places above the bottom four after picking up just one win from his seven league games in charge.

The Dragons have lost only twice all season, and only once in the last 14 league games.

But they were run close in Unsworth’s first home game in charge in October, with Latics leading 1-0 against the Welsh high-flyers until the 85th minute before they succumbed to an equaliser and a stoppage-time penalty.

And Unsworth is hoping to tap into the bulk of that performance as they prepare to go head-to-head with Wrexham again on Sunday (12.30pm), believing the televised clash can act as a welcome distraction to his side as they bid to establish a winning mentality.

“It’s a big game and I’m looking forward to it because it’s an opportunity to get 90 minutes into the players’ legs, which is much needed,” said the Latics boss.

“And you never know. Look how Chester played against us. You’d have never have fancied them to get a replay but they raised their game and they were outstanding.

“I don’t fear going to Wrexham, absolutely not.

“My focus is on the league but it’s a lovely distraction, the FA Cup."

Latics have had double sessions every day this week, with today planned as a rest day ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup clash at Wrexham, and Unsworth added: “The boys have trained really hard and put some good shifts in. We’ve had some honest words in changing rooms, we’ve always been honest in our assessments of what we think we’ve done well, what we’ve not and how we can improve.

“We’ve worked really hard, it’s been really intense, and we’ve just got to stick to the process that we believe in, and that’s where we’re at.”

Meanwhile, Liam Hogan could have his first taste of match action in almost three months next week.

The Latics captain has been sidelined since August after suffering a broken foot. But after having his protective boot removed a fortnight ago he has been progressing well on the training ground to build up his fitness.

However, Unsworth says they will tread carefully before putting him back in the first team frame.

“Hogs is flying and desperate to play in a B-team game next week that we’ve got organised against Tranmere on Tuesday. We would love that to happen but at the same time we’ve got to be very careful that he doesn’t come back too soon,” said the Latics boss.

“The character that he is, he sees what’s going on and how badly we miss him and he’s chomping at the bit. I’ve got a lot of respect for that but at the same time we must safeguard ourselves against him coming back and re-injuring or getting another injury.

“But he’s in the best hands with Baz and him and Baz will decide on the best and quickest way for him to get back, and come back and stay back.

“The temptation is obviously to throw him in as quickly as you can but that’s happened too often here and players have broken down again and you have them out for an extended period then, and we can’t do that.” As high as the temptation is, we’ve got to be very careful.”