SKY SPORTS' Hartlepool United fanatic Jeff Stelling has been gripped by play-off fever - just like the rest of the town.

Over 16,000 supporters will be making the trip from the North-East for tomorrow's crucial decider for a place in the Championship next season.

Nearly every shop window has a Pool banner or scarf and townsfolk without any previous love of the game are coming out of the woodwork in support of their local heroes.

And the excitement being felt across the Hartlepool has not gone unnoticed by Stelling, whose rants on a Saturday afternoon when his team scores a goal are famous across the country.

"I went back to Hartlepool the other day and couldn't believe it," said Stelling, who is 33-1 with bookies Paddy Power to be spotted crying on Sky Sports tomorrow.

"Everyone is so up for this. For the past two days all I have talked about is football, it's great. Young and old alike, the whole town has gone crazy.

"Every minute as I was walking through the town people were coming up to me asking about the game. Some don't even like football."

Meanwhile, neighbours Sunderland have sent their best wishes to Pool to replace them in the Championship next season.

The Black Cats won that division this season and Martin Scott has the opportunity to lead his men into that league when they face Sheffield Wednesday.

And Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy said: "It would be great for the area if Hartlepool could win the game and get into the Championship.

"It's a fantastic achievement for them to get into the play-offs and I hope they do it."

Sunderland target Tommy Miller, now an Ipswich Town player having left Pool in 2001 for £750,000, is backing his former club to make it to the Championship.

If his tip comes true and he signs a new contract with the Tractor Boys then he could be facing Pool next season.

Miller, who will be at the game, believes the prospect of the Victoria Park club being so high up the league ladder is an incredible thought.

"I wasn't sure whether to go along but I thought I might as well and hopefully they can do it and make a bit of history," said Miller, 26. "It is fantastic and it gives the town such a lift.

"If people had said a couple of years back that Hartlepool would be in with a chance of a place in the Championship you wouldn't have believed it - it's unbelievable.

"It should be an interesting game.

"I know Hartlepool put three past them last time but it will be different this time.

"There's more pressure on Sheffield Wednesday. But if I was predicting I would go for a 2-1 Hartlepool win."