THE Football Association have confirmed that replays have been removed in both the third and fourth rounds of this season's Emirates FA Cup.

The decision was made by the FA on Friday December 17 and was taken with the wider interest of English football at the heart of it.

The continued spread of the Omicron COVID-19 variant has caused postponements up and down the country in the top-flight and across the Football League.

An already congested fixture schedule over Christmas and the early part of 2022 has been made worse by games being called off and so the decision to scrap replays throughout the next two months has been made to avoid further fixtures.

Ties in the third and fourth round will be played to completion on the day, with extra-time and penalties to be used if required.

Replays will return for the 2022-23 campaign.

Kidderminster Harriers face Reading at Aggborough in the third round on Saturday January 8 (3pm kick-off).