Southend United manager confirms Hartlepool United target set to leave Roots Hall
Southend United manager Kevin Maher admits that goalkeeper Nick Hayes, who has been strongly linked with a move to Hartlepool United, is set to leave the club.
The 26-year-old, who was part of the Barnet side that were crowned National League champions last season, has fallen out of favour at Roots Hall and has been reduced to just seven appearances so far this term.
The former Ipswich goalkeeper had a brief spell on loan with Southend in 2023 before a successful stint with Solihull Moors, featuring 24 times as the Moors reached the finals of both the National League play-offs as well as the FA Trophy.
Having played 26 times for Barnet last season, Hayes sealed a permanent move to the Shrimpers in February 2025 and has gone on to make 28 appearances in Essex.
This season, however, Hayes has found himself playing second fiddle to Collin Andeng-Ndi, leading him to seek out first-team football elsewhere.
Pools have been on the hunt for a new goalkeeper in the wake of the sudden and unexpected departure of George Evans, who was abruptly recalled by parent-club Millwall despite only extending his loan at Victoria Park last week.
The youngster's departure has left Pools with goalkeeper-coach Adam Smith, who made a number of high-profile errors last season, as manager Nicky Featherstone's only senior option in-between the sticks ahead of this weekend's visit of Altrincham, the first home game since Landon Smith completed his takeover of the club on New Year's Eve.
Speaking to the Southend Echo, Maher, who led the Shrimpers to the National League play-off final last season, revealed that Hayes was expected to leave Roots Hall.
"We're going to have to manage the squad," he told the Echo's chief sports reporter Chris Phillips.
"Hayesy is going to go out and he wants to play football. He's been outstanding for us since he's come here but he's found himself behind Collin (Andeng-Ndi) at certain stages. He's been brilliant around the place and he's got the chance to go out and play now which he will do."