Semi Finals
VIDEO: Middlesbrough-West Ham preview

Alan Pardew and Shaka Hislop look ahead to Sunday's Semi Final clash with Middlesbrough.

Semi Finals
VIDEO: Top ten Semi Final moments

Alan Pardew introduces our top ten Semi Final moments. Look out for his header at number two.

Middlesbrough v West Ham
FA Cup Semi Final
Villa Park
4pm, Sunday 23 April
Winning club recieves £900,000

Middlesbrough captain Gareth Southgate has singled out West Ham boss Alan Pardew as a managerial star of the future.

The former Crystal Palace team-mates are in opposition as Boro face the Hammers in Sunday's FA Cup semi-final at Villa Park.

Pardew was a guiding light to Southgate in the Boro skipper's early days with Palace.

Southgate said: "He did a very good job when he was in charge at Reading, so it's no surprise he's done as well as he has at West Ham. He's proved himself with both clubs.

"I couldn't believe the pressure he was under from the fans last year. They had to let so many top players go, but they still made the play-offs and went up.

"They seem to have a good blend of youth and experience with people like Nigel Reo-Coker and Teddy Sheringham.

"Alan was always very good as a senior player, very helpful with the younger guys at Palace like me. I didn't play alongside him that much in the first team, but I played with him quite a lot in the reserves.

"He's doing a very good job at West Ham and he's got a big future in the game.''

Southgate is struggling to shake off an ankle injury to take his place at the heart of defence and figure in his fifth FA Cup semi-final.

He said: "I've played in four FA Cup semis and only reached one final when I was with Aston Villa and we lost to Chelsea in 2000.

"But with the clubs I've been at, semi-finals have been quite an achievement really. Perhaps not so much with Villa the first time when we lost to Liverpool in '96, because we finished fourth in the league that year.

"But a year earlier, when I was at Palace, we were very much the underdogs when we lost to Manchester United in the semi-final after a replay. With Boro, we lost to Arsenal four years ago to an own goal.

"On one hand, you could say that's quite cruel, but with the clubs I was with you could also say it's a decent return.''

Southgate, 35, revealed he may have to put on hold plans to take his UEFA 'A' coaching badge - because it would clash with FA Cup Final week.

He said: "I've only done the first of my badges. Whether I take my 'A' badge depends on whether we make The Cup Final - because it's the same week as that. So I hope I'm not taking my badge then.''

Stay with TheFA.com for exclusive interviews ahead of this weekend's Semi Finals.