PORT VALE boast a decent home record in a higher league but Hartlepool United would love to cause a FA Cup shock tomorrow in the hope of earning a much-needed financial boost in the New Year.

Pools, sitting in the bottom half of the bottom tier, are heading to the Valiants of League One knowing their opponents have only suffered defeat once at Vale Park this season.

Hignett, however, is not being put off by league form and believes Hartlepool can go there relaxed and confident of delivering a surprise result and hopefully set up an exciting third round tie in January.

The Hartlepool boss said “I love the cup and I want to do well in it. It is a game against a team in a higher league than us but it should hold no fear.

“We will give it a good go. We have done our homework on them and we think we have nothing to be scared of.

“We will be well prepared, physically and mentally. This is a platform for us and our players to go on to better things.

“We are the underdogs. Everyone is expecting us to get beat - we don't. In a lot of ways this is a free game for us. We want to be in that third round.”

Hartlepool made plenty of changes to the squad during the summer and it is understood there is not much cash available when the transfer window opens on January 1.

There were suggestions that Nathan Thomas was attracting interest from higher league clubs, although a serious injury could have put paid to any bids arriving for a player who had been rated in the £1m bracket.

Even if Thomas was never going to be sold, though, progressing in the FA Cup would be ideal for a club like Hartlepool as they look to balance the books.

Hignett said: “It is massive for the club. It is not cheap to run a football club so you want to get through and draw a biggy.

“That's the type of things that can put cash in the coffers. Any extra money is welcome. It will make a difference for our budget in January if we get through, but it depends who we get. You can't plan on that.

“We have to budget for what we have now. Whether people will stay or go makes a difference too. We will have to wait and see how much of an impact that has.”

Hignett already has an eye on the transfer window having had to bide his time on the loan front because of a change of rules for this season; which prevented Football League clubs from landing emergency loans on a short term basis.

He said: “If I want to loan somebody I can. As for getting someone permanent we will have to wait and see how January goes.

“I think that is where we are at. I know that, which means I can half plan for it.

“If something happens and frees funds up then that will be a bonus. But we will wait and see. We have targets. We know what we want to do. We have planned for a scenario where players leave. We will be ready is some things happen.”

Thomas, Josh Laurent and goalkeeper Trevor Carson are three of Hartlepool’s most saleable assets. Hignett would not stand in anyone’s way if higher league clubs could in with attractive offers.

Hignett said: “I don't want players playing here for the rest of their careers. I want them to progress and to go on to better things. That is what they have to want to achieve. That is a challenge they have got.”