A CLUTCH of Middlesbrough's promising young guns could start next season playing for Hartlepool United.

New Pools boss Colin Cooper, who was Boro's Under-18s coach until his appointment at Victoria Park, is looking to use his contacts at the Riverside Stadium to strengthen the squad for his first season in charge.

Former Darlington striker Curtis Main is one of the leading contenders to head across the River Tees on loan, while versatile Adam Reach is also being strongly mentioned along with forward Luke Williams.

Main, 20, is regarded as a player with plenty of potential after joining following his release from Darlington two years ago. He has already scored five goals in his 25 league appearances for the club.

He would provide a real boost to Hartlepool's firepower in League Two, with Cooper well aware of a player capable of finding the net with either foot and his body strength.

Reach, also 20, has found opportunities limited under manager Tony Mowbray despite a clamour for him to play more from the club's supporters. Williams, 19, is Teesside born and was used sparingly last season in different roles along the forward line.

While those three are the most likely, Cooper also knows a lot about some of the less experienced players keen to make an impact at the professional level.

Matty Dolan, who finished last season on loan at Yeovil, Bryn Morris, Jordan Jones, Ryan Brobbel and Christian Burgess are all under consideration, although the numbers which head to Hartlepool on loan could depend on the transfer activity at the Riverside.

Mowbray is keen to make additions to his Middlesbrough squad this summer and does not expect all of the deals to be concluded before the start of the Football League season in August.

There is already work going on behind the scenes to try to strike deals with free agents and Brighton's Gary Dicker is believed to be one of those under serious consideration.

There have been discussions with the Dicker camp, although Ipswich Town and Sheffield Wednesday are both in the hunt for his signature.

Sources in Ireland suggest that the 26-year-old - formerly of Dublin University - does regard Middlesbrough as a realistic destination, even if further talks have been planned with Ipswich and the Owls.

Dicker's Brighton team-mate David Lopez, another free agent, is another option for Mowbray, but the list of players he is considering is extensive with options both domestically and across Europe.

Since the Championship season ended, the Middlesbrough boss and his recruitment team have covered a number of games and had a variety of discussions with possible signings.

Plenty of scouting has been conducted in France, but Mowbray knows the extent of his major transfer business could depend on whether he sells one of his players.

Marvin Emnes, a Dutch striker rated at £6m 12 months ago, would be the favourite to depart if a buyer could be found. Bolton, however, are not interested in him despite reports to the contrary and his value is likely to have dropped.

Goalkeeper Jason Steele is likely to be the prize asset at this stage. He was on the bench last night as England began their European Under-21s Championships campaign against Italy in Israel.