Connah’s Quay manager Andy Morrison is under no illusion of the challenge that faces his side, ahead of their visit to Falkirk in the Irn-Bru Cup on Saturday.
The Nomads travel to Scotland as they enter the competition’s second round as league runner’s up last season.
WPL champions The New Saints will also represent Wales and host Queen’s Park.
Connah’s Quay were eliminated at the first hurdle last season, losing to Dumbarton in extra-time.
With a strong start to the Welsh Premier League under their belts, Connah’s Quay will be hopeful of advancing past a Falkirk side, who axed their manager this week after slumping to four consecutive league defeats.
“They’ve got the impetus of a new man coming in which will give them a bit of energy,” warned Morrison.
“I’m sure they’ll be working hard this week in training on the things that were plainly obvious on Saturday [against Ross County] that they weren’t doing right – it’s a dangerous situation because a new manager, every player now is raising their game 15-20%”
Despite it not being a particularly favourable draw, Morrison says his Nomads team will be keen to give a good account of themselves and will be well-prepared come kick-off.
“It’s the reward for the lads for a lot of hard work and we’ve watched videos, we’ve give it the same respect as what we did in Europe.
“In any cup competition, you’re looking at the draw and you’re hoping that you get a favourable draw – would I have wanted a second division team at home, of course I would have – that’s an ideal scenario, it gives you a great opportunity, but we got Falkirk – a Championship team.
“We’ve got to go up there and give a good account of ourselves and make sure that we stay in the game as long as we can and make sure we cause them lots of problems, because they are a good outfit – it’s a great setup there.”
Morrison travelled to Scotland last weekend and was a spectator at Ross County last weekend where Falkirk were beaten 2-0 by Ross County.
“I’ve been to watch them, we’ve had videos of them, so we’re ready to go and hopefully things fall for us on the day and we give a great account of ourselves.”
Connah’s Quay are likely to have John Disney and Jonny Spittle vying for a place in central defence alongside George Horan whilst Morrison could also welcome back Danny Harrison from injury.
The New Saints manager Scott Ruscoe must again decide whether to recall the WPL’s leading goalscorer Greg Draper or keep faith with Dean Ebbe for the visit of Scotland’s oldest club Queens Park in front of the live television cameras.
Draper came of the bench to score against against Caernarfon Town last weekend and leads the league scoring charts with five goals, despite being restricted to just four substitute appearances.
In the JD Welsh Premier League, Newtown and Barry Town have the opportunity to climb top of the table in the absence of the top-two.
Newtown, third, travel to Carmarthen Town, Barry Town visit winless Llandudno.
