Walsall player-manager Paul Merson has revealed he has failed in a bid to entice former England goalkeeper David Seaman out of retirement.

Seaman, a former team-mate of Merson's during the pair's Arsenal days, hung up his gloves last year but was approached as the Saddlers are facing a keeper crisis ahead of Friday's FA Cup clash at Merthyr Tydfil.

With first-choice Andy Oakes ruled out following hand ligament damage and on-loan replacement Joe Murphy forbidden to play by Sunderland, Merson now looks likely to rely 18-year-old shotstopper Rene Gilmartin.

'Mick McCarthy doesn't want Joe cup-tied and I totally understand that.

'It's not an ideal situation for us though and that's why we were looking for a keeper without a club to come in and play a one-off game for us.

'So I contacted David's agent but unfortunately the insurance he took out when he retired means he can't play again.'