South Shields ace eyeing Sunderland reunion and proving a point ahead of tonight's FA Cup draw

The Garstang-born defender put in an impressive display as the Mariners claimed a place in Monday’s draw with a surprise win over National League club FC Halifax Town.

A goal in each half from Darius Osei and Robert Briggs ensured the Graham Fenton and Lee Picton’s side saw off the Shaymen with a 2-0 win at the 1st Cloud Arena on Saturday.

They will now take their place in the draw for the first time since 1973 – and Hunter is adamant that he would love to face his former club on first round day in November.

He told The Gazette: “When I was growing up, my Dad taught me all about what the FA Cup means.

“When I was here on loan last season, we were disappointed when we went out earlier.

“But to get through to the first round, in my first season as a permanent player here, it just means so much.

“We are buzzing to be in the draw, and we can’t wait to find out who we can get.

“Everyone will be watching to see who it is – it’s funny because a couple of lads in the dressing room said Sunderland would be the tie we would want most, whether that’s at the Stadium of Light or at our place.

“For me to play against Sunderland, it would mean a lot, and it would to everyone else at the club as well.”

Hunter joined Sunderland from Liverpool in the summer of 2018 but went on to make just one senior appearance for the Black Cats.

That came when he started alongside the likes of Josh Maja, Max Power and Luke O’Nien in a 1-0 win at Morecambe in an EFL Trophy tie in November of the same year.

That proved to be the only taste of senior action that Hunter received during his time on Wearside – and he believes that being paired with his former club in Monday’s draw would offer him a chance to show Sunderland what they are missing.

“I being drawn against them, no matter where the game is, would give me a chance to prove something.

“Anybody that leaves a club, when they go back, you want to show what you can do and what they are missing.

“So, I think if we did get that, I’d be buzzing and I would want to show what I can do.”