Walsall player-manager Paul Merson has not given up hope of securing keeper Mark Paston's signature despite the Australian shotstopper being on international duty Down Under.

The Kiwi keeper is currently on the books at Bradford but Merson has earmarked him as replacement for Jimmy Walker should the out-of-contract Bescot first-choice decide to up sticks.

"The deal has been held up because Mark has been on international duty with New Zealand in Australia and because of the time difference it has been difficult to get hold of him," said Merson.

"But I'm still confident that we will be able to get the deal done in the near future.

"Mark is an excellent keeper and I think he can go in to be an important player for us,"" Merson told the Express & Star.