COLIN NISH will meet his new team-mates for the first time this morning but he already has his eyes on the Championship with Hartlepool United.

Nish, a 6ft 3in striker, arrived after his release from Hibernian and starts pre-season training with the squad today.

There was interest from St Johnstone in the Scottish Premier League, but once he had chatted with Mick Wadsworth, he was keen to test himself in League One.

“We are back on Friday and hopefully we can fast forward pre-season and get playing the games,” said Nish, who starts the season at MK Dons on August 6. “I am just looking forward to meeting the boys, it should be a great experience being down here.

“I could have stayed in Scotland.

But I knew I would fancy trying England out and it’s only a couple of hours to Edinburgh.

It was a bit of a selling point.”

Nish will not be the only new face at the training base at Maiden Castle, Durham.

Along with James Poole and Nathan Luscombe there will be the name that has the club buzzing – Nolberto Solano.

And Nish is looking forward to playing with the former Peru captain. He said: “He is older than me but he hasn’t lost it. The manager was delighted to get him and it will be great to play with someone who has achieved so much.

“I am sure he will create hundreds of chances – we will get on the end of them, I’m sure.”

Nish does not want fans to be expecting a powerhouse centre-forward that thrives on long balls and crosses in to the box. He can play a bit too.

“I prefer the ball into feet rather than use my height which is not what people expect of a 6ft 3in forward,” he said. “I have a scored a few and hopefully I can continue.

“I’m confident of doing well but it’s going to be a good standard.

I have come down here in the hope of helping to take this club to the Championship.”

Ticket Offer

Colin Nish – pictured below with manager Mick Wadsworth and Drive Vauxhall dealer principle Joe Palmer – has been pushing the club’s innovative season ticket plan.

The Northern Echo: Hartlepool United player Colin Nish, pictured with Hartlepool boss Mick Wadsworth and Drive Vauxhall dealer principal Joe Palmer.

Nish was at Drive to support the push for more season ticket holders as the club look to sell them to supporters for just £100. Every new or used car bought at the Burn Road site in Hartlepool comes with a season ticket, which will count towards the club’s pursuit of selling 4,000. If they reach the milestone before July 15 then fans can have their season tickets for £100 and Pools have currently sold almost 2,700.