LOUIS SAHA will resist the temptation to wrap himself in cotton wool to avoid being struck down by his long-standing FA Cup final curse.

Saha ran himself into the ground for Everton as senior striker in the win over former club Manchester United at Wembley.

Now the Frenchman is hoping it is fifth time lucky and the end of a miserable cup final horror story, dating back to 1999 when he was left out of the Newcastle squad which lost to Manchester United by then manager Ruud Gullit.

If that was bad, much, much worse was to follow.

United reached the final in 2004. Yet again Saha missed out, this time because he was cup-tied, having played in the competition for Fulham just before his £12.8million move to Old Trafford. Twelve months later Saha was on the treatment table when United lost on penalties to Arsenal as the knee injuries that threatened his career began to take hold.

Saha also missed the first FA Cup Final at the ‘new Wembley’ a year on.

“I am tempted to stay in bed for the next six weeks,” said Saha, somewhat ruefully.

“I have missed quite a few finals and I don’t want to miss this one.

“Realistically, all I can do is my best over the coming weeks. I need to train well because I can be much sharper than I am now.”