MARTIN SCOTT is gearing up for a New Year derby with a difference.

Scott takes Hartlepool United to Sunderland in an FA Cup third round tie, the club where he earned the respect of the Black Cats' fans during seven successful playing years on Wearside.

And while Pool may be more used to playing Darlington in derby games and Sunderland entrenched in Newcastle derbies over the years, this is likely to be on the only North-East derby both sides are going to face this season.

Scott said: "Playing Sunderland is a reward for our fans as well. Right from day one this season at Peterborough, they have been amazing and carried it on through every game.

"I think Sunderland will be pleased with the draw as well. It's a local derby for them, OK a different one to what they are used to, but it's a good tie.

"I know Sunderland have watched us a few times this season already and they will know what we are capable of.

"Of course we will be the underdogs, but we have a chance of causing an upset. We work hard as a squad and as a team and we have some hard games coming up before that one which we have to concentrate on.''

Pool yesterday announced tickets for the tie will go on sale from Monday, December 22 - although the tie is not all-ticket.

Season ticket holders have first refusal before they go on general sale to visiting fans just five days before the game on Monday, December 29.

However, Pool aren't likely to sell out as they are being allocated up to 10,000 and are expecting to take around 6,000 supporters to Wearside. Tickets are at £15 and £7 concessions.

Pool are at home on Saturday after last weekend's mauling at QPR. Pool lost 4-1 and have back to back home games coming up against fellow teams in the upper reaches of the table.

Colchester and Barnsley will put Pool's mammoth 27-game unbeaten home run to the test and boss Neale Cooper said: "It's a big time for us. Our boys are young and they're still learning.

"But we're fortunate in having two games against two of the better teams at home and then a trip to Oldham. We're looking forward to it and we'll try and use what we learned against QPR."

Read more about Hartlepool here.