TREVOR Carson is set to miss the rest of the season with Hartlepool United.

The goalkeeper, part of the Northern Ireland squad, needs surgery to correct a long-term shoulder problem and has been playing in pain in recent months.

Carson’s problem has become so severe that he will undergo surgery in two weeks and pre-season is likely be his target to return. Adam Bartlett will now be Pools’ first-choice, backed up by Ben Dudzinski.

With Carl Magnay (knee ligaments) already out for the season, and Nathan Thomas sidelined since the end of October with a groin problem it means three of Pools’ key men have missed huge slices of the campaign.

Pools yesterday signed Sean Kavanagh, a left-back from Fulham on loan until the end of the season and he is likely to start at home to Grimsby tomorrow.

“Trev sees a specialist and he’s played with the injury for a long time now. Last game against Morecambe he couldn’t go on any more and we covered it well,’’ said boss Craig Hignett.

“Last season and he should have had it (the operation) done in the summer, but put it off as he hoped to play in the Euros for Northern Ireland. It’s now got the stage where we have to get it fixed.

“It all depends on the amount of damage in his shoulder and if it is getting worse.

“Adam is a great back up, comfortable and confident and when he saves a shot it sticks. He has been pushing Trevor hard and deserves the chance.

“I’ve never lost any faith in him, he was in goal at Stevenage and we conceded six, but were a shambles with a patched up defence. A lot of things were wrong in that game.

“I’ve said to Barts this is a great opportunity for him and his big chance.’’

The club’s head physio Ian Gallagher said: “Trevor will have surgery in two weeks and could be out for up to six months afterwards.

“It’s an exploratory operation where the surgeon will go in, find the damage and then repair what he sees but it’s very likely he will now be missing for the rest of the season.

“Credit to Trevor, he’s been putting up with a lot of pain for quite some time now and he’s been determined to play in every game but it’s got to the point where we’ve had to do something about it.’’

Carson gave his first visible sign of discomfort when he went down clutching his shoulder after saving a penalty against Cambridge on December 17. Now it’s got to the stage where he cannot carry on playing.

Kavanagh trained with his new team-mates yesterday

The Irishman, who can play left-back, left wing-back or centre-half, spent time on loan at Mansfield last season. The 22-year-old has been with the Championship side since 2011 and made his senior debut in 2014. Kavanagh has since made 27 appearances for the Cottagers.

“We have Sean in and we wanted him all along and someone we have looked at for a while,’’ said Hignett.

“He’s a left-back, left wing-back with quality, competitive and has a good left foot. He can be a left-sided centre-half and he’s not a big lad but is strong and gets stuck in.

“A good addition, I’m sure he will prove to be and let’s see what else happens.’’

Meanwhile, Scott Flinders, the former Pools keeper, has left York City by mutual consent.