WREXHAM'S Racecourse Ground is almost certain to host next month's European Champions League clash between Welsh Premier side TNS and Liverpool.

Confirmation that the second leg of the first preliminary round tie will be staged in the town is expected today after two other potential alternative venues, Cardiff's Millennium Stadium and Everton's Goodison Park, were ruled out.

Millennium Stadium chief executive Paul Sergeant said a hectic event schedule at Wales' 74,500 capacity national ground has proved too big an obstacle to overcome.

Sergeant added: "We have been known to pull rabbits out of hats in the past but there just isn't the time in the calendar for us to bring this event to the Millennium Stadium."

TNS chairman Mike Harris had also raised the possibility of playing the second leg clash at Goodison Park but Uefa has moved quickly to quash any suggestion the Welsh champions could play the game in England. "The match has to be played in the territory where the club comes from," said a spokesman for European football's governing body.

Yesterday's developments leave the Racecourse as the only practical solution for TNS.

A precise date for the second leg have still to be agreed, with officials from the Welsh club hoping to secure extra funding through live television coverage.