JEFF WHITLEY admits the mass exodus of football fans making the trip from Hartlepool to Sunderland for this afternoon's appetising FA Cup tie has shocked the players on Wearside.

But the tough-tackling midfielder insists the Black Cats stars will be ready to stop Neale Cooper's side in their tracks at the Stadium of Light.

There will be approaching 10,000 supporters cheering on the blue and white of the Division Two side today and Sunderland are expecting their highest gate of the season - eclipsing their previous best of 36,278 for the match with Walsall on October 18.

But Whitley, along with the rest of his teammates, is determined to make sure that Sunderland spoil their less glamorous North-East neighbours' big day out.

"It will be one of the biggest crowds that we have had here and it should be a great occasion," said the 24-year-old. "When it is a derby as well you don't want to lose.

"We are really looking forward to it. It's frightening how many supporters they are bringing here.

"With it being the first game in the New Year they are looking forward to coming to the Stadium of Light. But hopefully they can go away from the Stadium of Light with some miserable faces."

Under Cooper, Pool have become a force to be reckoned with this season in Division Two after the guidance of Mike Newell and Chris Turner secured promotion for them last May.

This week Sunderland's Estonian goalkeeper Mart Poom told Northern Echo SPORT he was expecting a physical challenge and long-ball tactics from their lower-league opponents.

But manager Mick McCarthy, who was in the Victoria Park stands to see Pool's 8-1 hammering of Grimsby Town earlier in the campaign, has clearly given his squad a lesson or two going into this afternoon's match.

"Hartlepool are a good footballing side and we have done our homework on them. The lads are very prepared for the game," said Whitley, who was once on the wrong end of an embarrasssing 4-0 FA Cup defeat to Mansfield during his time at Manchester City.

"Shocks have happened in the past, as we all know.

"The manager has told us what he wants and there will be no ifs or buts against Hartlepool, the lads will be well up for the game."

Sunderland, who were humiliated by Division Three side Huddersfield in the Carling Cup when they lost 4-2 in September, have won their last three matches to strengthen their hopes of a promotion place in Division One.

And Whitley believes the break from league duty is a help, rather than a hindrance.

"It gives us a nice little breather from the league," he said. "But we have a job to do and we have to go out there and give it our all.

"We have had a great Christmas. The manager was adamant about what he wanted and that was nine points.

"He has concentrated on getting all of the players' heads right and we have had our rewards by getting the points on the board."

Whitley is likely to be playing alongside a new midfield partner against Hartlepool.

With Jason McAteer doubtful through illness, Darren Williams, Julio Arca, Stephen Wright and Ben Clark are all in contention for the midfield role.

Whitley said: "It can be tough at times not knowing who you are playing with.

"But I haven't had enough time to start to worry about things like that.

"Whoever plays we have to gel as quickly as possible."

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