Ref. 26988-68aANDY KING was hoping for good news regarding Sam Parkin's fitness today before stepping up his search for the missing piece in his 'jigsaw'.

The 22-year-old striker was due to be assessed at training this morning after missing Town's 2-1 defeat at Bristol City with a knee injury a defeat which ended the club's 10-match unbeaten run.

Parkin heads the club's walking wounded brigade but physio Dick Mackey is quietly optimistic that none of the players will be cluttering up his treatment room for too long.

He said: "We will look at Sam at training and as a precaution we may ask the consultant to look at the knee. It isn't a big problem and I am optimistic about his prospects."

Parkin, linked with Premiership outfit Southampton in a Sunday tabloid newspaper, watched Saturday's defeat from the stands.

Injury niggles aside, he remains happy with life at the County Ground and hopes contract negotiations will bear fruit in days rather than weeks.

He said: "A meeting has taken place between the club and my agent and it was made clear that I'm happy here and feel we have a chance of achieving something this year.

"Hopefully I will hear something from the club this week."

The other major injury concern is midfielder Stefani Miglioranzi, but again physio Mackey believes the New Yorker is not looking at a lengthy spell on the treatment table.

He said: "Stef caught the top of his foot on a player's studs on Saturday.

"There was bruising but I'm confident there's no bone damage. Again, a precautionary X-ray is a possibility."

As for the manager, he feels his squad is tantalisingly close to being the finished article.

He said: "We are getting closer. The jigsaw is nearly completed."

He joked that a million pounds from the chairman would certainly help.

A day of phone calls lay ahead today in a bid to bring in one if not two loan players ahead of Saturday's home game with Stockport County.

While midfielder Brian Howard will play for the England Under 20 side on Thursday, Town keeper Rhys Evans will not be joining the under 21 squad for the Euro 2004 qualifier against Turkey on Friday.

With England now unable to reach the finals, coach David Platt has chosen to blood several youngsters for the match, including Leeds United reserve keeper Scott Carson.

Reduced ticket prices will be in operation for Saturday's clash with Stockport County. Further details on 0870 4431894.