New FA Cup rules explained ahead of Nottingham Forest v Cardiff City, Stevenage v Swansea City and Newport v Brighton
The FA Cup third round kicks off this weekend and there have been a few changes to the format and rules this season
BBC Sport
The FA Cup resumes this week as Premier League and Championship teams enter the competition at the third round proper stage.
There are 64 sides remaining in the draw, with 32 ties to be played between Friday (January 8) and Monday (January 11).
Cardiff City head to Nottingham Forest, Swansea City travel to Stevenage while Newport County host top-flight side Brighton at Rodney Parade.
Neil Harris and Steve Cooper are likely to ring the changes amid gruelling Championship fuxtures, while Exiles boss Michael Flynn will see this as another opportunity to record a big scalp in the world's oldest football competition.
The third round gets under way with two all-Premier League clashes - Aston Villa v Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers v Crystal Palace - and will be concluded with Stockport County taking on West Ham United.
There have been a few changes to the format and rules of the FA Cup this season, partly due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Here's all you need to know...
Covid-19
With a new national lockdown announced in England amid a rise in the number of Covid-19 cases, football clubs are not immune and some ties could be at risk of postponement.
Derby County's trip to non-League Chorley is in doubt after the Rams confirmed on Monday night that several first-team players and staff had tested positive for the virus, forcing them to close their training ground.
If clubs do not have enough players available to fulfil a fixture, it will have to be called off.
Some reports suggest that if postponed matches cannot be rearranged before the fourth round, the affected team will have to forfeit, giving their opponent a bye.
Sky Sports reported on Tuesday that no club will automatically have to forfeit a game if they are hit by coronavirus, with each case to be assessed by the FA on its individual circumstances.
Substitutions
Clubs can name a maximum of nine substitutes for their ties, with teams permitted a maximum of three opportunities to make substitutions during the match.
However, if a player suffers a concussion (or potential concussion), clubs shall be permitted to use an additional two substitutions.
Replays
There will be NO replays in this season's competition.
The FA introduced the measure "to assist in easing pressure on the football schedule and to ensure that domestic competitions can still be delivered".
That means if the scores are level after 90 minutes, a period of 30 minutes extra time will be played.
If the sides still cannot be separated, the outcome will be determined by a penalty shoot-out.
VAR
Video Assistant Referees (VAR) will only be used in nine of the 32 third round ties.
They are the ones taking place at Premier League stadiums.
TV and live streaming
Fans in the UK will be able to watch all 32 ties, either on BBC and BT Sport and their digital channels or through The FA Player.
Eight fixtures will be live across the BBC's platforms, 16 across BT Sport's digital channels and the remaining eight fixtures broadcast free to supporters on the FA Player.
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