Cumbrian Scott Carson has been released by Derby County - paving the way for a permanent move to Manchester City.

The Cleator Moor veteran has spent the last two seasons on loan with the Premier League champions.

And Carson, 35, is strongly tipped to make a permanent move to the Etihad Stadium, where he has been a valued member of Pep Guardiola’s squad.

Carson has offered vast experience behind the scenes whilst providing back-up to first-choice keeper Ederson and second-choice Zack Steffen.

The ex-Leeds and Liverpool player has also helped fellow Cumbrian James Trafford, 18, step up into the first-team environment.

Carson himself stepped into the limelight late last season when he was handed his first Premier League appearance for City in their 4-3 win over Newcastle.

That proved a popular outing for a player who has been described as a big and positive influence by Guardiola.

City’s boss said Carson was a “real leader” at the club and added: “He has a lot of experience, he has been in incredible locker rooms with big teams.

“He is an incredible person.”

The Manchester Evening News report that Carson’s permanent arrival will complete City’s senior goalkeeping line-up for the 2021/22 season.

Highly-rated teenager Trafford, from Greysouthen near Cockermouth, is expected to go out on loan next term in order to gain valuable first-team experience.

That will follow a season when the youngster was on the bench for Guardiola’s side in a number of games in league and cup.

Derby, meanwhile, have also released Emmanuel Idem, Scott Malone, Jonathan Mitchell and Florian Jozefzoon.