Saddlers boss Paul Merson is poised to curb his forays into the transfer market - except for the pursuit of South African striker Toni Nhleko - after admitting the club were in a Catch 22 situation. The Bescot boss, frustrated by the hold-up of the arrival of 25- year- old international Nhleko, is refusing to dip into his limited budget unless the club are in a position to challenge for the play-offs. I am starting to look to next season and saving the budget because at the moment were in a Catch 22 situation, he said. Were are virtually the same number of points away from the relegation zone as we are from the play-offs and well have to see how that keeps going. If we win a couple of games, get on a run and get closer to the play-offs and further away from the bottom then it might be time to go and get someone. But its a case of how we are now and when it has to be reassessed. You dont want to waste money. As for Nhleko, the former Brann and Dallas Burn ace is currently back home in South African waiting for his chance on the English stage. The strikers bid for a work permit has been held up by red tape as he has not played the required 75 per cent of international games over the past 12 months. His last appearance for South Africa was almost a year ago, when he was part of the unsuccessful African Nations Cup side. Walsall have currently instructed their lawyers to help resolve the situation, with Merson insistent he will not give up the chase for Nhleko, who is working with the British Embassy officials in South Africa. It just keeps on going backwards and forwards with the embassy, said Merson. Every day you go there you see someone different, so its just a case of being patient. I was aware that this could happen. Sometimes you get lucky and it goes through straight away and sometimes you have to wait. I half expected some problems but not as many as this. But Im not letting it affect me. Its just one of those things, although it would be nice if he was here. With Matty Fryatt out at the minute he would have been perfect. Im very optimistic that it will work out and if it isnt soon then it will be next season. | 
