Have faith!! (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Have faith!!

NUMBER nine remains a blank space on Town's squad list today although the slot's most recent occupant feels eight, 14 and 24 could be the key 'figures' this year.

The weekend brought no further developments on the fresh faces front with the manager still working away to find a replacement for Sam Parkin as well as trying to fill the other holes in his squad.

Andy King has admitted that Parkin is 'irreplaceable' but he nevertheless has the task of unearthing a new source of goals.

Jamie Cureton and Luke Beckett are both names prominent in supporters' speculation over the last couple of days although King rejected the Beckett link several weeks ago.

Parkin himself has no say in who takes his old shirt but he feels supporters should not see his departure as a cue for an instant goal drought at the County Ground.

He said: "I'm sure the manager is already looking for someone to take my old shirt as he'll want competition for places.

"Having said that Rory Fallon (pictured) and Christian Roberts will have something to say about it, young Andy Caton as well.

"Christian's season was disrupted by injury but I enjoyed playing with him and I thought we linked up particularly well.

"Rory too was full of confidence towards the end of last season.

"Andy Caton will be looking to make an impression this year as well."

As for King's search for the 'new' Parkin, the 'old' one feels it isn't a hopeless task.

He said: "There are lads out there who are just waiting for a fresh opportunity to prove themselves and for a manager to show support and belief in them.

"That's what happened with me when I came to Swindon. Hopefully the manager will find someone and get the best out of him."

As it stands midfielder Ricky Shakes and defender Charlie Comyn-Platt are the only confirmed new faces for next season.

The manager has held meetings with further targets and more will follow this week.

However, the first couple of days post Parkin have yet to bear fruit.

King said "There's nothing at the moment."

He has already enquired about Torquay United's Adebayo Akinfenwa but a likely asking price of £300,000 will prove off-putting.