AFTER scoring two goals for Hartlepool United on trial, Scott Fenwick is set to become Paul Murray’s third signing.

The striker, who has seven goals in 11 games for Dunston UTS in the EBAC Northern League this season, is ready to turn professional with Pools.

He has been on trial at Sheffield United this season and Chesterfield have also been keen on the 24-year-old.

Murray last week signed Nicky Featherstone and Sidney Schmeltz. He also hopes to land at least one more player ahead of tomorrow’s FA Cup tie with East Thurrock United at Victoria Park.

However, if Fenwick signs he won’t be able to play after scoring six times for Dunston in five games in the competition this season.

Fenwick has been at the academies at Newcastle, Sunderland and Middlesbrough, scored 33 times for Durham City last season, and Murray said: “Scott’s record speaks for itself.

“He has pedigree and has been at three academies as a younger player.

“Willie knows him from his time at Newcastle and we knew about his whereabouts and his situation at Dunston.

“We have kept an eye on him and we decided to give him a game for the reserves and he scored two and did well.

“We would be stupid not to even contemplate a deal, whether it can be done, I don’t know.’’

Murray added: “Whether it is right for all parties we will have to wait and see but he has some pedigree behind him and is a good age.

“I am always conscious of the age we have here because we have a lot of young lads and Scott is also a striker - we only have one of our own on the books.”

Murray said after last weekend’s draw with Newport that a striker and centre-half were on his agenda for this week, but he is also without a backup for Scott Flinders in goal and yesterday added: “A goalkeeper has to be a priority and we have looked at a few.

“If Scott (Flinders) had brought the lad down against Newport and gone off then we would have to put Sam (Collins) in goal or something like that.

“It is far from ideal so we are looking for a keeper.”

As well as seeking new signings, Murray is also out to improve the ability of his current crop of players.

The former midfielder helped lift Oldham’s squad during his spell as assistant boss and said: “We did some individual work Monday afternoon, with some crossing and shooting practice.

“I will do that continuously throughout the season, in the afternoons or just for half an hour after training.

“I am seeing the improvements and we are getting there. I can see the signs and they are listening to what I am all about.

“Hopefully they will take that into the weekend.’’

Murray said Tommy Miller (calf) could come into contention for next weekend’s trip to Southend, Matthew Bates is back in the squad after a calf injury, but Stuart Parnaby remains on the long-term injured list with a knee problem. Ryan Brobbel has gone back to Middlesbrough after his loan spell.

He added: “Jack Compton is making good progress and I’m hoping to have him back early December and he will be a good player to come back and hopefully I can get the best out of him.

“Other people have brought the loan players in and I have to decided what is best for the club.

“With Sidney, young Connor Smith and Jon Franks, I feel I have players here who can fulfil that wide role.

“I thank Ryan for his services, which I did after the match against Newport. That’s football.”

East Thurrock will travel to the North-East from Essex today for the biggest game in their history.

The Isthmian League’s club boss John Coventry said: "Everybody is delighted to be involved and that is the attitude we will take into the match. But having said that, there have been bigger FA Cup shocks in history.

"Anything is possible. We will have done our homework on Hartlepool but it is difficult as they have been going through a lot of changes with the manager and playing staff.

"They recently brought in a few lads on loan, so it makes it tougher to know who exactly you are coming up against.

"But let's be fair, we wouldn't swap our draw with anyone."