THE MAGIC of the FA Cup stretches across the globe. Hartlepool United's new Australian striker Joel Porter can vouch for that.

After making his debut in last week's win over Swindon, he is in line to keep his place for tomorrow's second round tie at Burton Albion.

"I fell in love with the FA Cup watching it as a boy back in Australia and it would be nice to play in it,'' he said.

"Everyone dreams about playing in the competition. It's something you always hear about back in Australia.

"My first memories are watching Manchester United and Everton in the final in the 1980s.

"It's something I am really looking forward to. I didn't realise it was being televised live. But that means more people can see it and it will be a little bit hyped.

"Obviously we want to show what we can do and how well we can play.''

How well Pool play is a moot point when it comes to televised games - they have yet to win in front of the cameras in five attempts.

Tomorrow, in front of the BBC cameras, commentator Barry Davies and summariser Trevor Brooking, they will have to get the better of the Family Clough.

Nigel is Burton's player-manager, dad Brian will be in the stands. Son is likely to start the game on the bench, with a second-half appearance to follow.

The player-boss admitted: "It's going to be very, very difficult. Hartlepool are going so well in the league; it's going to be an extremely difficult game for us.

"But we are looking forward to it. Beating Torquay has given the lads a bit of confidence.

"If we had been up there it would have been a different ball game. But we are at home and we have nothing to lose."

Nigel Clough the player reached the 1991 final and the last four on two other occasions, but knocking Pool out in round two would beat all that.

He added: "It all goes down a peg or two. When you were a professional you wanted to get to the quarter-finals and semi-finals.

"Now at our level, it's a great feeling to get to the second round.

"Once you get to the first round the League clubs come in. We got a result at Torquay and now have another League club, and that's our quarter and semi-finals.''

Burton beat Northwich on Tuesday night and Clough, who watched Pool beat Rushden last month, said: "It's a little bit unfair that since the draw was made we'll have played half-a-dozen games and they will have played three. But come Sunday we'll be raring to go and fired up.

"We've got a nice balance. We've got some lads who have just played non-league but who have played a lot, some younger ones and the likes of Darren Wassall and Steve Chettle to calm everyone down."

In the crowd and the centre of attention will be Clough snr. Brian Clough's illustrious managerial career started at Pool in the last 60s and he said: "I was pleased with the ties that I had with the club but my loyalties are with Burton now and I want them to win.

"I'm delighted that we are at home - that's a real bonus. Hartlepool are a pretty good side by anyone's standards and we are going to have our hands full.

"I will be in my usual seat and, all being well, I'll talk the wife into coming, too.

"That's a one-off event. When I was playing or in management, you could count on two hands the amount of times she attended. She went to a couple of League Cup finals out of the five we got to with Forest but that was only so she could go shopping in London, I think."

Pool keeper Jim Provett, who has been in outstanding form all season, gets his second taste of FA Cup action tomorrow.

He kept a clean sheet against Whitby in the first round; another would go a long way to securing a first televised victory.

"It would be nice to get through and then think about getting one of the big boys,'' said Provett, 20.

"When the draw was made we were satisfied in a way. We could have had a much, much harder away tie - we could have been going to another second division team.

"I've never played in front of the cameras like this before. I don't think it will affect us in any way. I know our record as a club isn't very good, but hopefully we can change all that.

"All we can do is a professional job and then think about what comes next - but any big team out of the hat would be nice.''

* Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock has pulled off a double swoop to avert a possible goalkeeping crisis at Bramall Lane.

Northern Ireland international Alan Fettis, currently with Hull, and Lee Baxter, recently with Malmo following a spell in Sweden, are both expected to sign in time to be available for the trip to Burnley.

Paddy Kenny is still sidelined with a knee injury and Paul Gerrard has recently returned to Everton, leaving summer signing Kristian Rogers as the only recognised keeper at the club.

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