HARTLEPOOL United are tracking Magne Hoseth – with the Norwegian midfielder expected to sign for the club this week.

Pools boss Chris Turner is hopeful of completing four deals in the next few days.

Darlington right back Neil Austin is one of them after he passed a medical last week, while Stockport left back Michael Rose is also on Turner’s hit list.

Turner last week revealed two foreign players were on his radar, who would bolster his squad.

And it emerged in Norway last night that Hoseth, capped 20 times by his country is one of them.

The Molde playmaker, 28, was viewed as one his nation’s top prospects when he first emerged onto the scene, but is regarded in his homeland as a player who failed to fulfil that promise.

In 2004 he swopped Molde for FC Copenhagen and, after eight goals in 28 games, headed to Valerenga and ended up at back at Molde in July 2006.

The last of his international caps, he’s netted once at that level, came in January 2006 against the USA.

Turner last season admitted the Norwegian transfer market was one he was looking to explore after signing striker Rune Lange on a short-term deal.

“I’ve seen a number of Norwegian games this season and we will explore that market because they have a good work ethic and are very good professionals,’’ he admitted.

“The owners have strong Norwegian links, but we have set up our own scouting network in Norway.

“We have someone who works out there almost fulltime for us.

“He recommends players, I go and watch them, Peter Eustace (scout) goes and watches them and it’s an option.

“They are in a recession just like us, cutting their squads back and players are available.

“The players are desperate to come to English football and we are looking at a high standard, a different type from those who have been here in the past, when we had to work with them and hope they developed.

“Now we are looking for players who can kick us on in the future, not just to make the numbers up."