THERE will be a Middlesbrough reunion at Vicarage Road today and Hartlepool United’s Gary Liddle wants to inflict an FA Cup shock on some old friends.

Andrew Taylor might have been forced to return to Teesside at the end of his loan from Boro this week because of a failure to agree terms over an extension, but Danny Graham and Josh Walker will still be in the Hornets’ nest.

Liddle graduated through the Middlesbrough Academy with Graham and Walker, so he knows all about the goalscoring prowess of the Chester-le-Street-born striker.

Graham may have yet to conquer the Premier League, but has proven during his spells at Carlisle and now Watford that Pools have a potent forward they will have to pay plenty of attention to today.

There is a concern over the 16-goal man’s hamstring and, in many respects, Liddle would actually prefer for one of his old pals to miss out.

Liddle said: “Danny has a bit of an injury, but do I want him to play? It’s a strange one.

I would like to play against him, but know how much of a threat he can be. You hope he’s fit, but if he doesn’t play it’s not a bad thing for the team.”

Liddle has been part of the Pools team that has come up against Graham in recent years. During the striker’s time at Carlisle he scored twice in October 2007 against him.

“It’s a game in which we think we can go there and cause an upset, but we know Danny will be a threat if he does play,” said Liddle.

“Danny has done very well this season. He’s got 16 goals but he is the sort who will create just as many goals as well with his workrate.

“He caused us his share of problems when he went to Carlisle and played against us.

He left Boro just before I did and forged a good career for himself by climbing back up the leagues. Not just through his scoring, but his overall game and effort.”

One of Liddle’s other close friends is Taylor, who is disappointed not to come up against his hometown team today because his loan has expired.

“But Josh Walker is there and he may get a chance if they field a weakened side,”

said Liddle. “Josh hasn’t had much of a chance there and was farmed out on loan to Stevenage, but he may get a chance against us.”

Pools were dumped out at the first round stage by Kettering last season but the previous year they defeated Stoke in the third round before losing in front of the television cameras to West Ham.

Liddle said: “It would be nice to be in the draw on Sunday.

Danny Wilson always had a theory that it doesn’t matter how you do it, as long as you are in the draw for the next round. We all want that.

“A couple of years ago we played West Ham and Stoke and gave a good account of ourselves. That’s what we have to aim for again.

“It would be nice to get a decent draw and get another TV appearance as well, you never know. It’s a break from the league, although we have been doing all right.

“We are in a good position, improved on recent seasons, which is good for us. It’s a game between two form teams, but there is no pressure on us.”

Pools head to Watford on the back of a bruising 3-0 defeat at Notts County, but boss Mick Wadsworth hopes they will bounce back.

Wadsworth said: “There’s no point worrying about fixture congestion, you have to take it as it comes. Of course I’d take a replay.

“If I could agree it now with Malky Mackay I would because it would be great to bring a Championship team back to Victoria Park for our fans to see a cup game.

“We’ll play our strongest team and pick the right team for the game.”