TREVOR CARSON, the former Sunderland goalkeeper, is to have a medical at Hartlepool United today.

He is expected to become Ronnie Moore’s sixth summer signing. Carson, currently with Cheltenham Town, has been on international duty as part of Michael O’Neill’s Northern Ireland squad in the last week.

Carson, last season’s player of the year at Whaddon Road, was an unused substitute in their 0-0 draw with Romania on Saturday evening, a result that keeps the Irish second in Euro 2016 Qualiyfing Group F.

Carson’s arrival, after Moore also landed a new goalkeeping coach in Tony Caig from Carlisle, means Scott Flinders’ six-year stay at Victoria Park is over.

Out of contract this summer, free agent Flinders will now be seeking a new club.

Pools have been chasing Carson, but Cheltenham would only allow him to exit if a suitable deal could be arranged as he remains under contract for a further year.

Carson doesn’t want to play non league football next season, after the Robins were relegated from League Two to the National League.

But he is keen to get back to the North-East, were he spent six years without making a first-team appearance.

Robins’ chairman Paul Baker has said: “"The situation with Trevor is about geography and the status of where we are, because he has a young family.’’

Pools will also need a back-up goalkeeper after Jon Maxted was released.

Neil Austin, another out of contract and offered reduced terms, is unlikely to be back at Victoria Park after Moore signed defenders Carl Magnay, Jake Carroll and Harry Worley, with Matthew Bates also signing on for an extra year.

Moore, who said he wants up to nine new signings, has also said in the last week he wants an extra striker and two wingers.

Pools have announced four more pre-season fixtures, making it nine in total. They face Gateshead at the International Stadium Saturday, July 25 and go to Whitby on Friday, July 17. They also travel to Ashington on Monday, July 20 and Dunston UTS on Wednesday, July 29.