Paul Merson has appeared to conceed defeat with trying to talk Mick Halsall into taking over as first team coach.

He is quoted on the official site as saying that he as asked to see the Chairman about bringing in a coach and that he has someone in mind. There is no indication as to whether the Chairman is likely to agree or not to this request, nor is there to the question of how long the appointment might be for, given that the manager’s contract runs out in the Summer.

“Mick’s been a massive help but it is hard for him combining his first-team duties with his Head of Youth role,” Merson told the official website. I have someone in mind, but it is a matter of me discussing it with the chairman to see if it is possible.”

Merson is clearly quoted in the Express and Star as saying that this is a short term measure until the end of the season.

Merson said: “I’ve got somebody in mind who I would like to bring in for the final five games of the season. I think this person could help us and it wouldn’t be a case of replacing Mick. He would work alongside Mick and myself until the end of the season and then we could look at things again in the summer.”

The newspaper also said he was hoping to have the person in before Saturday’s trip to Swindon.

Merson has been managing without a full time coach since the departure of Frank Barlow to Forest in January.