WHEN Newcastle United travel to Peterborough United tomorrow there is one player in particular who would love to see an FA Cup upset more than most.

Posh midfielder Jon Cullen is a Sunderland fan and he admits that it would make his day to see his side knock the Premiership high-flyers out of the prestigious competition.

And the former Hartlepool United star, who was on the bench for last Monday's third round replay victory over Darlington, hopes he will be a part of proceedings at London Road.

If he does start, then Cullen has something special lined up should he find the back of the net against the Black Cats' arch-rivals.

"I think I will have to wear my Sunderland shirt underneath and lift my Peterborough shirt up," joked Cullen, whose father, David, and brother, Darren, are season ticket holders at Sunderland.

"If I had not made it as a professional footballer I would probably have still been going to all the matches now.

"I would say I was still a Sunderland fan even though I obviously support whichever club I play for.

"It would be brilliant to beat Newcastle in the FA Cup. I have a few friends coming to the match and some of them are Newcastle fans."

Peterborough boss Barry Fry indicated how he believes his cash-strapped club can record a massive Cup shock, he said: "We have got the worst pitch in the League and Newcastle's stars will not fancy it one bit.

"We will play with three keepers and eight defenders and we can do it!"

And Cullen backed his manager, saying: "We will give it a go and we will go into the match thinking we can get something out of it, and why shouldn't we?"

Cullen, from Shiney Row, has been on the transfer list at Peterborough since just before Christmas after having his request granted by Fry.

But he has figured in first team plans in recent weeks and he is just pleased to be back in action after undergoing a cartilage operation last season.

Cullen was taken from non-league obscurity with Morpeth by Darlington assistant manager Mick Tait, who was in charge at Hartlepool at the time.

And during his time at Victoria Park the cultured playmaker made a name for himself by scoring 12 goals in 38 appearances and attracted interest from top clubs.

Sheffield United paid £250,000 for his services in January 1998 but he failed to recapture the form he showed under Tait at Pool.

And Cullen, who has also played for Doncaster, Spennymoor, Shrewsbury, Halifax and Carlisle, admitted: "It was great at Hartlepool, I have got some good memories of my time there.

"Taity has obviously gone to Darlington now and I had a good chat with him the other night when they came to us.

"He is a nice bloke and it was nice to see him again, I wish him the best of luck for his time at Darlington."

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