Rio Ferdinand relishing FA Cup clash with Manchester City

Rio Ferdinand was involved in a heated exchange with Mario Balotelli when United were dumped out at the semi-final stage last season (GETTY IMAGES)

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand is excited by the FA Cup draw which has paired the Barclays Premier League champions with neighbours Manchester City.

The teams will meet in the third round on the weekend of January 7-8 in what was the highlight of the draw, with other eye-catching ties including Birmingham versus Wolves and Arsenal against Leeds, reuniting the teams that met in last year's third round which saw the north London side progress after a replay.

Ferdinand wrote on Twitter: "3rd round FA cup game vs mancity..great game to kick off this yrs FA cup, can't wait."

Tottenham, third in the league, host Cheltenham Town, while Chelsea are also at home against Portsmouth in a repeat of the 2010 final, which the Stamford Bridge club won.

Newcastle host Blackburn in an all-Premier League tie while Liverpool will face the winners of the replay between Southend and Oldham at Anfield.

Tamworth, of the Blue Square Premier, can relish the prospect of a good pay day after being drawn at Everton.

Goalkeeper Jonathan Hedge told Sky Sports News: "It's what dreams are made of, we'll go there full of confidence.

"I'm a Sheffield United fan so I would have liked them or one of the two Manchester clubs but we will have to make do with Everton."

Manager Paul Buckle described himself as "delighted" after Bristol Rovers landed a home draw against Aston Villa after a 6-1 win at Totton.

Buckle told ITV1: "I am delighted, absolutely thrilled. I am delighted for the fans and players.

"We've got a lot of tough league fixtures in between. We'll look forward to it but there is a lot to come before then."

Tony Pulis will return to former club Gillingham after they drew his current team Stoke, Fulham host npower League One leaders Charlton while Championship side Peterborough will be looking to test Sunderland at London Road.

Director of football Barry Fry and manager Darren Ferguson both welcomed the draw, the former telling theposh.com: "I am absolutely delighted, it is a great draw.

"It should be a sell-out and with Martin O'Neill going there it gives us half a chance of being on TV."

Ferguson added: "It will be a full house, they are a Premier League club and it is a tie we can look forward to."

All the promoted teams face games against lower league opposition, QPR taking on MK Dons of League One, Swansea travel to Barnsley while Norwich host Burnley.

West Brom host Cardiff while Premier League bottom two Bolton and Wigan travel to either Chelmsford or Macclesfield and Swindon respectively.

Nottingham Forest host Leicester in an all-Championship east midlands derby while leaders Southampton travel to bottom side Coventry and League One high-flyers Sheffield Wednesday host West Ham.

In two other all-Championship ties, Hull host Ipswich and Derby play Crystal Palace.

PA