TREVOR CARSON yesterday started his quest to make history.

Hartlepool United have never been represented in any international tournament, they’ve only one international cap to their name as a club, but the goalkeeper has this week teamed up with the Northern Ireland squad.

Boss Michael O’Neill has called his hopefuls together for a training camp in Manchester when he will decide on his European Championship squad.

"Everything is positive and everyone can't wait. Fingers crossed,’’ said Carson, who won two player of the year awards this season with Pools.

With three spots available for goalkeepers, Carson faces a four-way shoot-out with Roy Carroll (Notts County), Michael McGovern (Hamilton) and Alan Mannus (St Johnstone).

"I'm on the training camp in Manchester and look to show what I can do,’’ reflected Carson.

"The other goalie (Mannus) has not been playing up in Scotland and it's probably between me and him.

"I just hope I can give them some food for thought.

"Even if I am not on the plane I'll be supporting Northern Ireland, it is an unbelievable achievement to get there.

"I'd love to be there as a player and if I'm not, I'll be there as a fan, cheering us on.’’

Carson, 28, was called up by O’Neil for their 1-1 draw with Wales in March. He was an unused substitute in Cardiff, before driving back to the North-East to keep a clean sheet for Pools in their Good Friday win over Wimbledon.

He added: "I'd got a taste of it last summer. I had half an hour in a behind-closed doors game against the Republic and did well.

"I had got in for the qualifiers at the start of the season but then I injured my toe here.

"Alan (Mannus) got back in and then has done very well in training by all accounts.

"I'm an optimist, I'll keep believing.

"Fingers crossed, I hope it's a letter I get to say I’m in the Euros squad because if Michael rings and it's bad news I'll probably break down.’’

After this four-day camp, the squad will then base themselves in Dublin for five days.

There’s a friendly against Belarus at Windsor Park on May 27, and a week-long training camp in Austria, before travelling to Trnava for a friendly with Slovakia on June 4.

Carson has been in imperious form for Pools this season. He won the players’ player of the year award, as well as the honour from supporters.

Boss Craig Hignett has described him as the best in League Two, and feels he could more than hold his own in the Championship.

Carson recently signed a new, three-year contract to remain at Victoria Park.

He has been regularly watched by his countries goalkeeping coach Maik Taylor this season.

"I saw on Twitter that Maik was at Oxford the other week,’’ he reflected.

"He's been to a few games, Bristol Rovers where we lost 4-1, Notts County at home when I came out like Superman and missed the ball.

"I said to him 'can you not come to a game when it's gone well?'.

"He was at Oxford which we lost but I did not have a great deal to do.

"It's nice that they are watching me.

"But if I got called up for the squad there would be no cliché for it!"

Carson suffered relegation from the Football League 12 months ago with Cheltenham. Pools flirted with the drop for too long this campaign.

They staved off the threat with some distance to go, but Carson admits football was off his agenda if Pools had failed.

"This is the gospel truth, I said if we got relegated I was packing in football,’’ he confessed. "You can ask all the lads at the club.

"Last season hurt. Being relegated is bad but coming out of the Football League is terrible.

"I could not imagine it happening in back-to-back seasons and I was embarrassed.

"I felt so low in January-February time I told the lads that would be me finished if we went down.

"It's hypothetical now and I'm grateful I don't have to contemplate ending my career.’’

And from the low of the drop to the high of international football and a new contract, things couldn’t be better for the former Sunderland prospect.

"Absolutely no regrets, off the pitch I am as settled as I have been in years, I think that shows on the field too,’’ he admitted.

"It's been exciting, the thought of next season.

"I was talking about it to Nicky (Featherstone), who's just signed a new contract, and he was saying he's never had this feeling before.

"We're looking forward to pre-season already and not just because we've been told we might be going somewhere quite nice!

"I think we'll put together a good squad and have a right good go next season.’’