MICK McCARTHY last night warned his Sunderland stars that victory over neighbours Hartlepool United in the FA Cup this afternoon is vital if they are to carry the momentum from their promotion push into their future fixtures.

With a bumper crowd in excess of 40,000 - nearly a quarter being away supporters - expected at the Stadium of Light, McCarthy believes success in view of such a massive Cup-fevered atmosphere will help to maintain the recent feel-good factor circulating Wearside.

Three successive victories over the Christmas period, the club's best festive return in 15 years, has cemented Sunderland back among the serious challengers in the Division One promotion race.

And McCarthy, who refuses to even consider his side reaching the final, insists success over Division Two outfit Hartlepool in a North-East derby today should help persuade some of Sunderland's stayaway fans to come back.

"I think playing one of your neighbours and a team that is in a league below your own in the FA Cup makes for a hugely important tie," said the two-times Scottish Cup winner.

"In terms of winning the FA Cup - with just 16 or 17 players to choose from in my injury-hit squad - and getting promoted, I think it's a way off the mark suggestion. There's more chance of me flying out of here on my own steam.

"But in terms of winning a football match, local pride and for the feel-good factor, it is absolutely essential that we play well and win the game."

The two sides have met just once in a competitive match and that was 15 years ago in the Sherpa Vans Trophy, when Brian Honour's goal sealed it for Pool.

But Sunderland and Hartlepool's paths have crossed in a couple of behind-closed-doors friendlies already this season, with results favouring Aberdeen Cup hero Cooper's men.

The two managers have developed a good working relationship since Cooper was installed in the Victoria Park hot-seat in the summer.

And McCarthy knows his opposite number will ensure Sunderland will be in for a tough time on home soil today.

"I think Hartlepool have beaten us twice in friendlies or reserves games so it is third time lucky for us," said the Sunderland chief, who was at Millwall when the Lions inflicted shocks on Arsenal and Chelsea.

"On both occasions Hartlepool have been very competitive, so we know it is going to be hard for us.

"It should be a good game because we are both going to be approaching it in the same manner. We will both be trying to pass it around and I don't think they will come and try to defend.

"It's difficult when teams come here and put ten players behind the ball, so it will be refreshing to see a team come here and try to be adventurous. Hopefully we will get a good honest game of football.

"I only know Neale through football but when I chat to him I like him. He seems dead straight and honest. He is up front about things.

"But he gets his team to play good football as well."

Hartlepool's average gate in the Nationwide League this season has been just over 5,000.

And McCarthy is convinced that having so many fans inside the Stadium of Light will be a boost to Sunderland, rather than their opponents.

Whoever it suits, the former Republic of Ireland chief does not want to be on the wrong end of a shock result - he had enough of that when he was at Millwall and they lost to Oxford United.

"I think a big crowd will suit us more than them," said McCarthy, who knows the gate receipts, expected to be be around £350,000, will be divided with Hartlepool and the FA.

"I'm not saying that Hartlepool won't relish playing in that crowd but for us to go out there and realise that everybody is bothered about the game then it will lift us.

"When it's wound up like this it really makes for a good game. It's an added incentive that Hartlepool will be wanting to come up here and kick their bigger neighbours up the backsides.

"I've been in that position as a player and as a manager so I know what it feels like to be in cup shocks.

"The FA Cup throws up some great ties and Sunderland v Hartlepool is one of them. There will be about 36,000 in the Stadium and it's great. Financially anything is a help as well."

McCarthy goes into the match with his squad not being in the best of shapes.

Jason McAteer is a major doubt through illness and with Paul Thirlwell, Sean Thornton and Colin Healy all sidelined through injuries, Sunderland are struggling to find a central midfield partner for the combative Jeff Whitley.

The ankle knock sustained by Tommy Smith at Rotherham also threatens to rule him out of the action. That means Michael Proctor, who went to the same Monkwearmouth School as Pool forward Paul Robinson, could be in line for a rare start alongside Marcus Stewart up front, with Kevin Kyle suspended.

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