HARTLEPOOL are poised to make former Sunderland striker Michael Proctor their first signing of the summer later this week.

Proctor has been told he can negotiate a move away from his current club, Rotherham, despite having a year of his contract still to run.

Hartlepool boss Martin Scott has first-hand experience of Proctor's abilities as the pair were on Wearside together in the late 1990s.

Scott's final campaign as a Sunderland player coincided with Proctor's first senior season as a professional.

The pair are set to be re-united, with Rotherham willing to let the striker leave Millmoor on a free transfer as they look to slash their wage bill following last season's relegation to League One.

Scott is expected to meet with the 24-year-old before the weekend in an attempt to agree personal terms ahead of pre-season training.

Proctor made 48 appearances for Sunderland after forcing his way into the first team under former boss Peter Reid.

He was switched to midfield by Howard Wilkinson and eventually joined Rotherham last February as part of a swap deal that saw Darren Byfield move to the Stadium of Light.

His early days at Millmoor were something of a success but he gradually slipped down the pecking order and was farmed out to Swindon on loan for the final three months of last season.

Two goals in four games at the County Ground underlined his ability and alerted a number of potential suitors to his likely availability.

But, while other League One clubs have expressed an interest, a return to his roots is likely to prove difficult to resist for the Sunderland-born star.

l Hartlepool have confirmed they will be returning to Holland as part of their pre-season preparations.

Pool will face Dutch side Top Oss on Wednesday, July 13 (ko 7pm), before lining up against FC Den Bosch two days later (ko 7.30pm).

* New Darlington striker Simon Johnson has been tipped to take League Two by storm.

The 22-year-old is Quakers' only pre-season signing so far and will be competing for a starting place with Clyde Wijnhard and Akpo Sodje.

While assistant manager Mark Proctor admits Darlington would like a fourth striker to ensure strength in depth, he has high hopes for a player he has been a fan of for sometime.

Johnson was a regular scorer in Leeds' reserve side and has hit eight goals in loan spells at various clubs, making 43 appearances, though many have been from the bench.

Proctor said of the youngster: "Given a few breaks and a good pre-season he could be a wow at our level.

"He's quite quick and had a good goalscoring record in Leeds' reserve team. We made a few inquires, asked other people about him and decided to take the plunge. I watched him against Scarborough for Leeds reserves last season but he got sent off after 20 minutes!

"It was quite reassuring that Sunderland took him on loan because it showed that someone else had identified his qualities."

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