OXFORD United have paid tribute to former goalkeeper Tim Carter, who has been found dead.

Carter was reported missing from his home in Durham and his body was discovered in bushes by a passer-by in Manchester.

A source confirmed he was found with rope around his neck and it is believed he hanged himself.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: "There are not believed to be any suspicious circum- stances."

Carter, who was recently appointed as Sunderland's academy goalkeeping coach, was pronounced dead at the scene.

A spokesman for United said: "Tim was only at the club for a short time, but gave his all during his spell here.

"He was a lovely, friendly man, and our thoughts go out to his family."

The left-footed goalkeeper arrived at Oxford on a free transfer from Millwall in June 1995.

He went on to make 17 appearances for United, keeping six clean sheets before returning to Millwall and making 62 appearances for them, eventually finishing his playing career with Halifax Town in 1998-9.

A file has been passed to the coroner and a post-mortem examination will take place this week.

Carter played 50 games for Sunderland between 1987 and 1992.

He was the first-team goalkeeping coach before the arrival of ex-Manchester United star Raimond Van Der Gouw last summer and also coached Estonia's national team goalkeepers.

Carter was capped three times with England's youth squad in 1985 and made his Football League debut for his local team Bristol Rovers at just 18.