STEVE McClaren is looking forward to facing former club Manchester United in the fourth round of the FA Cup - although the Middlesbrough boss insists a possible trip to Exeter would be every bit as tough.

Yesterday's fourth-round draw produced mixed results for the North-East's four remaining clubs, with Sunderland handed a tricky trip to Everton, Newcastle given a winnable home tie with Coventry, and an unfortunate Hartlepool paired with Brentford if they overcome Boston in a replay.

Boro look to have the trickiest task though, provided cup holders Manchester United beat Conference minnows Exeter next Wednesday night.

The two sides played out a shock 0-0 draw last weekend but, after resting some of his biggest names at Old Trafford, Sir Alex Ferguson is expected to wheel out more of his big guns next week.

That should be enough to smooth his side's progress but McClaren, who won the treble while serving as Ferguson's assistant in 1999, is not ruling out a surprise trip to Devon at the end of the month.

"Either way, it promises to be a cracking fourth-round draw for us," said the Boro boss, who has already seen his side earn a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford earlier this season.

"Manchester United will arguably present us with the stronger test of the two possible fixtures.

"But make no mistake, travelling to St James' Park to play Exeter would not be an easy proposition so we'll have an interesting game whatever happens.

"The replay between the two sides was always going to be exciting, but I'll be watching it with even greater interest now."

Sunderland's reward for beating Crystal Palace is another shot at top-flight opposition when they travel to Merseyside to take on Everton.

David Moyes' side are currently riding high in the Premiership top four but Sunderland shot-stopper Thomas Myhre - a former Everton player - is confident his side can produce another upset.

"It's a great tie for me and one I'm looking forward to," he said. "It's a massive test for us because they are doing so well but we can get a result."

The game will also see Everton winger Kevin Kilbane lining up against his former employees.

The Republic of Ireland international made 124 appearances for the Black Cats but, after becoming a target for the Sunderland boo-boys in the latter stages of his stay, he is expecting a rough ride from the club's travelling support.

"I'm looking forward to it," said Kilbane. "I'm not sure what reaction I'll get from the Sunderland fans - there'll probably be a few jeers - but it's one I'm looking forward to. We fancy our chances against anyone at home."

After being paired with non-league Yeading in the third round, the draw has again been kind to Newcastle.

The Magpies play Championship strugglers Coventry in round four as they attempt to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their last FA Cup triumph by winning the trophy again.

"It's a great draw for us," said skipper Alan Shearer. "All you can ask for in the FA Cup is a home draw, and that's what we've been handed.

"Coventry aren't doing so well in their league at the moment, but in the FA Cup that doesn't mean a thing.

"The draw wasn't kind to us last season with games away at Southampton and Liverpool, but this time around I think we have done well and we couldn't really have asked for any more in the two draws so far."

Coventry parted company with former Sunderland boss Peter Reid last week, leaving ex-Black Cats coach Adrian Heath in temporary charge at Highfield Road.

"The FA Cup can go two ways," said Heath.

"You can either have a team at home who you think you've got a good chance against or you can be drawn against one of the glamour clubs - and there's absolutely no doubt that Newcastle United are one of those.

"I know from coaching in the North-East with Sunderland how important they consider the FA Cup to be up there and I've no doubt that it'll be a full house of over 50,000 for the game."

Hartlepool have not enjoyed Newcastle's luck, as they have again been paired with less than glamorous opposition.

Neale Cooper's side travel to Boston for their third-round replay next Wednesday knowing they face an equally underwhelming trip to League One side Brentford if they triumph at York Street.

"If we had drawn a big side then that could have distracted from the task in hand, which is playing against Boston," said Cooper.

"Now we have two ties which I think the players are capable of winning, so hopefully they can go out and give a good account of themselves."

Elsewhere, the pick of the fourth-round ties sees Harry Redknapp's Southampton take on the Portsmouth side he quit just seven weeks ago.

"It's just a game of football," claimed Redknapp. "I know what I did during my time at Portsmouth. I'm very proud of what I achieved. No-one can take that away from me."

Fourth Round draw: Derby v Watford or Fulham, Man Utd v Exeter v Middlesbrough, Cardiff or Blackburn v Colchester, Chelsea v Birmingham, West Ham v Sheff Utd, Oldham v Bolton, Arsenal v Wolverhampton, Everton v Sunderland, Nottm Forest v Peterborough, Brentford v Hartlepool or Boston, Reading or Swansea v Leicester or Blackpool, Burnley or Liverpool v Bournemouth, Southampton v Portsmouth, West Brom v Tottenham, Newcastle v Coventry, Charlton v Yeovil

* Ties to be played weekend of 28/29/30th January.

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