Hartlepool United coach Gary Liddle is anticipating a “big game” against his former club Carlisle United tonight.
The Monkey Hangers’ first-team coach says strong backing from both sets of supporters will make it a good occasion at the Prestige Group Stadium.
While third-placed Carlisle are seeking a fourth straight win, Pools are hoping for a result that can further boost their own play-off chances.
Liddle, who recently stepped up from the academy to join Nicky Featherstone’s first-team coaching staff, said: “It’s always been a big game, Hartlepool-Carlisle, whether it be home or away.
“Both teams are well supported, and I’ve been lucky enough to play for both teams.
“It’s a game I’m looking forward to.
“It will be a good turnout from both fans, I’m hoping.
“It’s about concentrating on ourselves. We don’t look too far ahead. The cliché is we look to the next game, prepare for that and that’s Carlisle.
“We’ll prepare right for it, go out and give it a good shot to get three points again.”
Liddle recently left his position as Whitby Town manager in order to assume first-team coaching duties at Victoria Park.
The 39-year-old Teessider, in between playing spells for Pools, was on Carlisle’s books from 2017 to 2019, making 117 appearances for the Blues.
He is one of several Carlisle connections in the home ranks, with former Blues players Tom Parkes and Adam Campbell in Featherstone’s squad.
Pools fought back for a dramatic 4-3 win at Solihull Moors on Saturday and Liddle, speaking in a club interview, added: “We can’t start games as we did, but in the second half we really caused them trouble.
“It was quite a mixed performance but three points is three points.”
One man set to miss out tonight is Luke Charman, who was stretchered off with a serious looking ankle injury after coming off the bench on Saturday.
Tonight’s game, meanwhile, will see Carlisle striker Luke Armstrong return to the club with whom he enjoyed National League promotion in the 2020/21 season.
Charlie Wyke is another former Pools player in the visiting ranks – while Stephen Wearne will come up against the club who openly expressed their interest in signing him last month. Mark Hughes has since said such a move for back-in-favour Wearne was “never” a consideration at Carlisle.
Home boss Featherstone, speaking to the BBC, added: "It's a massive game.
"It's a really exciting game as well, I know they [Carlisle] have sold out their allocation.
"[These] are the games as a player and a manager that you really want to be involved in.
"I'm looking forward to testing myself against a very experienced, top manager who's managed at the very best level in Mark Hughes. It's an exciting game for the club and for me personally."
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