Liddle didn't expect to make a trip to Victoria Park this season, but he's certainly looking forward to meeting some old friends...
Defender Gary Liddle didn't expect to make a trip to Victoria Park this season, following on from Hartlepool United's relegation last season, but he's certainly looking forward to meeting some old friends.
The 27-year-old spent six years at Saturday's opponents and was swamped with text messages as soon as the draw was made.
He said: "Being in different leagues I wasn't expecting to go back. I watched the draw live and as soon as it came out I was really pleased.
"I got a lot of texts and calls and it will be good to see them all again.
"It will be a tough game and it will mean a lot to me.
"They've done well after a difficult start. I know both Colin Cooper and Craig Hignett from my time at Middlesbrough and United and I've always kept in touch with them.
"They've had a difficult start, but they are really on form now. They've got a settled team and with the news that they won both Manager and Player of the month, it's going to be difficult."
The defender has also been impressed by new Manager Shaun Derry's impact since arriving in midweek.
He added: "The new manager has told us that to make sure we are in the hat for the second round and hopefully it will help the club financially too.
"As a player he was always positive and as a manager he's impressed the players already. He's only spent a short time with us, so maybe there's not enough time to implement of what exactly he wants, but we had a very good session on Thursday.
"It was an intense session and you can see what he wants from everyone. He wants the best out of himself as a manager. He's enthusiastic and Greg is experienced too."