CASH-STRAPPED Wrexham have averted a threatened players' strike ahead of Saturday's big match against Manchester United by belatedly paying the wages.

"I don't think it would have come to a strike, but the lads were very concerned at the number of times we weren't getting our pay cheques on time," said forward Kevin Russell, the PFA (players' union) representative at the club.

"They've got mortgages and other financial commitments which have to be paid on time.

"That's the point certain people have been missing. We've put up with it long enough and thought it was time to take a stand.

"It's a sad state of affairs, but I'm sure the fans will understand why we took this action."

Managing director David Rhodes confirmed the players had now received their pay.

"They should have been paid on the last day of July, but there was never any doubt that they would be paid," he said.

Club captain Brian Carey had made public the concerns of the players.

Speaking on behalf of the 20-strong squad, he said the players felt the time had come to speak out.

"The wages have been late in five of the six months since February, despite numerous assurances they would be made on time," he said.

"Last month the Professional Footballers' Association contacted the club and were assured the situation would not arise again.

"The players have accepted the situation up to now, even though they've been advised the club is in breach of contract.

"They are entitled to exercise their rights and while we believe strike action would be very extreme we feel there aren't many other options open to us.

Wrexham's cash flow problems were eased by last night's home friendly against Premiership Blackburn Rovers.

But tickets for Saturday's Manchester United match - an all-ticket testimonial for long-serving manager Brian Flynn and his assistant Kevin Reeves - aren't going as well as expected.

Less than 7,000 had been sold by yesterday. Tomorrow is the last day they can be purchased.