SCUNTHORPE and Norwich are leading the way in the race to sign Micky Nelson on a free transfer.

The defender, out of contract at Hartlepool United, is to leave this summer after six seasons at Victoria Park.

Pools offered the centrehalf a deal at the end of last season, but he has yet to accept or reject the offer. His agent, however, has admitted his client is likely to move on.

Huddersfield were among his options, but they have agreed a three-year deal with Southend’s Peter Clarke.

Norwich assistant boss Ian Butterworth knows all about Nelson from his time at Pools and is keen on working with him again.

But the Tyneside-based defender has the chance to stay closer to home and play Championship football with Scunthorpe next season.

Boss Nigel Adkins is in the market for a central defender to replace Andy Crosby and recently admitted: “It’s fair to say that a big focus to start off with will be trying to make sure we don’t concede as many goals.

“We’re not going to rush into things but negotiations are ongoing in certain areas.”

Pools boss Chris Turner has already signed Peter Hartley to replace Nelson, the former Sunderland defender being one of four summer recruits already made.

His latest is right-back Neil Austin and the full-back is glad to be back in League One after being left frustrated after two seasons under Dave Penney at Darlington.

“When I agreed to drop down to League Two from Barnsley it was because Dave Penney had told me about his plans to get promoted,” said Austin, who also played regularly in the Championship at Oakwell.

“We were unlucky not to achieve that because we should have been in the playoffs both years, not just the first, but it wasn’t to be.

“Now I’m just excited about the future. I’m looking forward to starting training with Hartlepool next month.

“We have to be realistic and say that League One will be tough with some big teams, but we will be looking to finish as high up as we can.”

Pools’ hopes of getting Stockport’s Michael Rose may have diminished after the club was the subject of a takeover last week which will see them exit administration.