Paul Merson has told the Express and Star that, as predicted on the message boards here a couple of weeks ago, the chances of signing Andrew Surman from Southampton on a long term loan have all but disappeared.

Surman has been taken on Southampton’s pre season tour of Scotland, as a member of the first team squad, and scored te opening goal last nigh on his debut.

Merson has now turned his attention to Birmingham City youngster Neil Kilkenny. The diminutive (5 foot 8 inch) midfielder is an England under 19 international and moved to St Andrews in 2004, refusing a number of other clubs in the process, and has spent some time on loan at Oldham.