Blackpool have failed in a cheeky bid to re-sign Saints striker Brett Ormerod on loan.

The 26-year-old left Bloomfield Road in a £1.7m deal in December 2001 after scoring 45 league goals in 103 starts plus 23 as a sub.

Ormerod, pictured above, was a regular in Saints' side last season - he was second top scorer with nine league and cup goals - but hasn't started a match this term following the arrival of Kevin Phillips.

Blackpool boss Steve McMahon revealed: "I had a conversation with Gordon Strachan only last week and Brett Ormerod and another couple of players were mentioned.

"I dived in with two feet - perhaps it should have been one foot. But I did ask the question about Brett.

"The answer was categorically 'no'. Brett was in his plans and I was told he has a part to play at Southampton.

"I was trying to get Brett to this football club because it would have given everyone such a big lift."