Liam Noble has become Hartlepool United’s fifth summer signing. The combative midfielder has moved from Notts County.

A former Sunderland trainee, Noble has played over 300 games.

He has twice been on loan at Carlisle before signing permanently - and was sent off for a foul on Pools midfielder Antony Sweeney while playing for the Cumbrians at Brunton Park.

A move to Notts County followed and he became a crowd favourite. He then signed for Forest Green Rovers and got them into the Football League, voted into the National League team of the year.

He returned to Notts County last year.

He is Matthew Bates second midfield signing this week, after Paddy McLaughlin moved from Gateshead.

Notts agreed to release Noble after he said he wanted to be back in the North-East.

Owner and chairman Alan Hardy said: “Liam has had a very open and honest discussion with us and we were not going to stand in his way. We wish him the best of luck.”