Southend United's out-of-favour goalkeeper Martyn Margetson is set to have transfer talks with Second Division Blackpool today.

The 27-year-old is believed to have become unhappy at Southend ever since he lost his first-team place to rookie keeper Mel Capleton - who has kept back-to-back Roots Hall clean sheets for the Shrimpers.

Margetson, who joined Blues on a free transfer from Manchester City at the start of the season, travelled north to the famous Lancashire seaside resort last night and will meet Tangerines boss Nigel Worthington this afternoon.

"I'm going into these discussions with an open mind," Margetson, a former Welsh B-cap, said this morning.

"Just because I'm meeting Blackpool for talks doesn't mean that I'm going to leave Southend, I just want to see what they've got to say."

Blackpool are set to lose highly-rated shot stopper Steve Banks on a free transfer under the Bosman ruling over the summer.

Glasgow Celtic and Manchester United are leading the chase for the 27-year-old.

Worthington only has one other keeper at the club, untried youngster Phil Barnes, and needs an experienced custodian like Margetson to fill the void when Banks leaves.

Blues boss Alvin Martin would only confirm that he had given Margetson permission to visit Bloomfield Road today.

However, Blackpool manager Worthington was more forthcoming.

"I have spoken to Martyn, but nothing concrete is happening yet," admitted the ex-Northern Ireland, Leeds and Sheffield Wednesday defender.

"There are things he needs to sort out with Southend before anything can happen about him coming here.

"But I need to find someone because Banks' situation at Blackpool is common knowledge and if he leaves I will be left with one keeper, when I need two quality players to fill this position at the club," he added.

Whatever happens at Blackpool Margetson confirmed he will still be part of the Southend squad which travels to Darlington on Saturday for the Seasiders' Third Division clash at Feethams.

Capleton, coincidently, enjoyed a three-year spell at Blackpool before returning to Southend for a second stint this season.

Martyn Margetson - talking to Second Division Blackpool about a possible move

Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY

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