ANDY KING is hoping for a double Belgian boost as he battles to bolster his squad ahead of the big kick off.

Town travel to Hellenic Premier side Wantage Town this evening and the manager will use the clash to check out two foreign players recommended by 'a trusted agent'.

King said: "I don't want to name names but one of them has played for a decent First Division club in England as well as playing in Belgium.

"There are no guarantees but I know a little bit about one of these lads and I think he's worth having a look at. The other lad from Belgium is something of an unknown but we'll see what he's got."

King believes pre-season matches such as those at Didcot and at Wantage tonight are ideal opportunities to spot a 'plus'.

That is how he described midfielder Darren Dykes, a player not on his wish list but who nevertheless did enough to convince the manager that he was worth snapping up.

He said: "You just hope that these games provide you with a pleasant surprise. But you don't bank on it."

King and assistant manager Malcolm Crosby were due to meet this morning ahead of training to select their squad for the Wantage Town clash.

Despite the postponement of yesterday's first team friendly with Watford, King is not tempted to give his first team players some extra match practice ahead of Sunday's encounter with Sporting Gijon at the County Ground.

He said: "The injury situation is hardly a secret and I am not going to risk more injuries at Wantage."

With a relatively small squad to start with, the last thing the manager needs is further knocks but midfielder Steve Robinson, pictured left, is the latest Town player to break down during pre-season.

He said: "I thought Steve Robinson was on the mend after missing the Wimbledon game but he pulled up again in training."

Danny Invincible, Matt Hewlett and Andy Gurney are already clogging up the treatment room.

If the injury situation is frustrating, the continuing Stamford Bridge 'saga' is doubly so.

King said: "There is nothing more to report on the Sam Parkin situation. It's Chelsea's decision."

King has yet to meet Australian defender Gareth Edds to discuss his future.

Tonight's match at Wantage Town kicks off at 7.30pm.

Town's junior sides continue to flourish in the English Riviera Tournament in Torbay. In the latest round of matches the Under 11s defeated Elite FC 2-1, the Under 12s demolished FC Bilosevic 4-0 and the Under 13s defeated Barbados outfit PSA 2-0.

Head groundsman Geoff Warren departed from the County Ground yesterday. It marked the end of his second spell at the club.

After a 'break' during the Steve McMahon era, Geoff returned to the club for a second stint in December 2000.

Neither party wished to comment yesterday but the Evening Advertiser understands it was a 'financial' decision to release the vastly experienced groundsman. Clevedon-based, Warren is currently helping out with Bath City's Twerton Park ground.