Martyn: Elland Road exit (LaurenceGriffiths/Allsport)

Martyn's controversial decision not to go on the club's pre-season tour of Australia and the Far East after the World Cup has left him facing life on the substitutes' bench at Elland Road.

He has discussed his future with new Leeds manager Terry Venables but was told that England Under 21 prospect Paul Robinson, so impressive on the summer tour, will start the season ahead of him.

The news he had feared has prompted the 36-year-old former Crystal Palace keeper to seek a new club and Saints boss Gordon Strachan, the former Leeds skipper, is in the process of putting together a three-year package worth £3m for Martyn.

Southampton have the cash to recruit a dependable veteran in their main problem position and Martyn - the country's most expensive goalkeeper when he joined Leeds in a £2.25m deal six years ago - is interested because it represents a long-term deal.

Martyn is reeling at the realisation that he has lost his status just weeks after being David Seaman's World Cup deputy in Japan. But Venables warned him of the possible consequences of staying at home instead of flying off on tour with Leeds.

Both men insisted there had not been a row when Martyn opted out of the games in China, Melbourne and Bangkok. But it has become clear that the England No.2 gave himself an insurmountable handicap.

Venables said then: 'What has happened is not going to be helpful to Nigel. We haven't fallen out over this but he has to realise he hasn't helped himself. He has given Paul Robinson a great opportunity to show what he can do.'

By the time Martyn forced his way into a 45-minute appearance against Rangers at Ibrox last week, Robinson had cemented the spot he had yearned for since his heady duel with Rivaldo captured the Champions League headlines in 2000.

Leeds were also conscious that the highly-rated Robinson could become restless the longer his inevitable promotion was delayed, and feared he might be tempted to move on two years after his magnificent performances in Leeds' run to the Champions League semi-finals.

His qualities have brought interest from both Manchester United, who must soon replace Fabien Barthez, and Liverpool, who went for Jerzy Dudek and Chris Kirkland after being discouraged from pursuing Robinson.

Venables will allow Martyn's sale to go ahead but is preparing to chase a replacement before the transfer deadline at the end of the month. Robinson needs competition and former manager David O'Leary had planned to keep Martyn to ease his successor through the changeover this season.