IF in victory over Stoke City in round three, the game was all about how Hartlepool United’s defence coped with a barrage of long balls pumped forward, preparations for the visit of West Ham tomorrow couldn’t be different.

And, for Gary Liddle, he knows all too well where the key areas are and who the key players will be.

Up against The Academy of Football in the fourth round of the FA Cup, Liddle and Ritchie Jones will be pitched against the guile and strength of Scott Parker and Mark Noble in central midfield.

Liddle, who won the FA Youth Cup with Middlesbrough in 2004 before moving to Victoria Park, admitted: “It’s definitely the biggest game in my career and it will be the same for the rest of the lads here, because we’ve got a young squad.

“It’s the chance to test ourselves against Premier League opposition again.

We’ve played two sides who were promoted to the Premier League this season, so it will be tough going up against an established top flight team.

“They are eighth in a tight league at the moment and they are on decent form.

“They’ve got a mix of experienced and up and coming players so it will be a good test and one we’re looking forward to.

“I watched them against Fulham on Sunday and they looked good. They’ve obviously got a lot of international players and they wouldn’t be at West Ham if they weren’t good players.

“We will have to either play well and have a bit of luck on our side or hope West Ham struggle big time.

“I think the midfield is the strongest part of their team with the likes of Noble and Parker.

“They’ve got a lot of legs in there and we’ve got to be on top of our game.’’ Liddle lifted the FA Youth Cup along with teammates Davie Wheater, Andrew Taylor and James Morrison.

And, while those former compatriots face Premier League opponents every week, Liddle, who has made 99 Football League starts for Pools, has no regrets about swopping the Riverside for Victoria Park.

“Winning the FA Youth Cup against Aston Villa has been the highlight for me personally so far, I know a lot of the lads played in the playoff final in 2005 for Hartlepool and that game was their best,’’ he admitted.

“For me and a lot of the other young lads this will be the biggest game of our careers.

“I didn’t go to watch West Ham at Newcastle a couple of weeks ago, but I know Ben Clark, Ritchie Humphreys and Michael Nelson did.

“They pinpointed a few players and obviously it’s going to tough.

“But West Ham will know we’ve already turned over two Premier League teams this season and they won’t come here thinking they just have to turn up to win.

“ W e s h o u l d have a g o o d c r o w d a n d t h e y w i l l act as the 12th man for us. West Brom and Stoke both came up from the Championship and both play in completely different styles.

“West Ham will prove different to both of them, they will mix it about a bit and have got good players back to front.’’ He added: “I was young and remember being very nervous when I played in the FA Youth Cup but obviously I’m a bit more experienced now.

“I don’t think I will be as nervous as I was then but it’s a day we are all looking forward to.

“They won’t be used to coming to stadiums like ours and we’ve got to make it as difficult as possible for them.

“Noble and Parker are good players and have got a lot of experience in the Premier League now, so it’s going to be tough for whoever is in there for us.

“We’ll have to match them in the battle but we aren’t turning up to get an autograph or just to swap shirts – it will be down to business and we’ll be going for it.”

Joel Porter (tendonitis) and Sam Collins (thigh) are expected to be named in the squad, with boss Chris Turner having no new injury worries.