Falkirk hope to complete Darren Dods signing

Falkirk are poised to make Darren Dods their first summer signing after the experienced defender underwent a medical yesterday.

The centre-half, who was freed by Dundee United after his contract expired at the end of last season, held talks with Falkirk manager Steven Pressley and a deal is now understood to be close to completion.

The former Hibernian, St Johnstone and Inverness player, who turned 35 on Tuesday, was identified by Pressley early in the close season as a target after the First Division hopefuls were forced to release defenders Brian McLean and Mehdi Khalis last month.

Pressley is convinced the Scotland B cap can help strengthen his defence and provide the experience and leadership qualities he felt his young side lacked in missing out on promotion last term.

And he is hopeful of putting the finishing touches to the negotiations in the early part of next week.

Pressley said: "I met with Darren for a chat and he went through a medical.

"Although there are still a couple of things to be ironed out, things progressed quite well and he's now away over the course of the weekend.

"Nothing has been completed but we hope we can finalise things on his return."