STOCKPORT County boss Carlton Palmer wants to bring Southampton goalkeeper Alan Blayney to Edgeley Park on a season-long loan - at the second time of asking.

Blayney, 21, had a short loan spell with County last season, which Palmer had been hoping to extend for the rest of the term.

Through no fault of his own, Blayney was first recalled by the Saints for a Worthington Cup-tie at Liverpool, then hurt a finger in the warm-up before the FA Cup tie at Plymouth.

Just when Palmer thought he had secured his man for the rest of the campaign, Southampton offered him a three-year extension to his contract and he returned to St Mary's.

This time Palmer is more confident Blayney will be able to extend his stay.

Palmer said: "I have spoken to Gordon Strachan and I am hopeful he'll agree to the deal."

• Meanwhile, County will play next season's reserve games at Cheadle Town, after failing to secure Stalybridge's Bower Fold.
  
  The Football League inspected Park Road last week and approved the application, on the condition the floodlights would be upgraded before the reserves' first game against Macclesfield on August 20.

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