MIDDLESBROUGH will rival Hull City for the summer capture of Karl Darlow, with the Newcastle United goalkeeper set to leave St James' Park.

Darlow spent the second half of the season on loan with Hull, whose boss Liam Rosenior has made it clear he wants to make the keeper's stay at the MKM Stadium permanent.

But Darlow is understood to be one of the goalkeepers on Boro's wishlist. Strengthening between the posts is a priority for Michael Carrick and the club's recruitment team after loanee Zack Steffen - No.1 last season - returned to Manchester City.

While Boro will prioritise the signing of players in their early to mid-20s this summer, goalkeeper is seen a specialist position and Darlow, at 32, has several years of playing still ahead of him.

The Newcastle man isn't Boro's only goalkeeper target but ticks a lot of boxes on Teesside and impressed during his spell in the Championship with Hull from January onwards.

Darlow made 12 appearances for the Tigers, whose boss Rosenior has made no secret of the fact he wants the "magnificent" keeper back for next season.

"Karl Darlow is a target," said Rosenior.

"Karl knows what I think of him. I want him here in the long-term and hopefully we can get something done."

Darlow still has two years left to run on his Newcastle contract but first team opportunities will be hard to come by with Nick Pope firmly established as No.1 at St James' Park and with Eddie Howe hoping to keep Martin Dubravka at the club.

Having spent most of the last couple of seasons as a substitute at Newcastle, Darlow doesn't want to spend the rest of his career as a deputy.

Explaining his decision to join Hull on loan earlier this year, he said: "From my perspective, I could have let it go another six months, another 12 months and before you know it, you're three years into not playing.

"For me, I'm ambitious. I'm young for a goalkeeper, I'm 32, I've got years ahead of me and I want to prolong my career by playing football, making sure I'm still in people's minds and that they have not forgot about me."

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Boro currently have Liam Roberts, who was second choice last season, Sol Brynn and Zach Hemming as goalkeeper options, all who'll be hoping for the chance to impress in pre-season.

Signing a keeper was, however, identified as a priority after Steffen - who was key for Carrick last season - returned to Manchester City. The USA international wants another move this summer as he targets regular football after his season at the Riverside, but his immediate priority is recovery and rehab after undergoing knee surgery earlier this month.

Boro will also prioritise the signing of a new striker in the summer window - which opened today - after loanee Cameron Archer returned to Aston Villa. Carrick will also look to bring in a wide attacker and the departure of Alex Mowatt could leave Boro one midfielder short.

Boro will also decide whether to move for another left wing-back after Ryan Giles returned to Wolves. Marc Bola and Hayden Coulson will hope to impress Carrick in pre-season.