TOWN'S clash with Portsmouth tonight will nudge Andy King a step closer to deciding on his number one keeper for the season but Craig Farr's future is shrouded in uncertainty.

The youngster has slipped down the pecking order after the signing of England Under 21 keeper Rhys Evans and was not included in the Town party that travelled to Devon.

King will not be rushing into decisions but admits he is not really in a position to accommodate three senior goalkeepers.

As well as finances, the practical problem for King is where to play the youngster.

With Evans and Griemink battling it out for the first team slot, the 'loser' will try and keep sharp in the reserves and Farr is too old to turn out for the Under 19 side.

Added to that, the club has two other young goalkeepers on its books in Steve Smith and Matty Bulman.

King said: "I will sit down and talk with the lad. I want to do right by him.

"Craig knows he is now third choice keeper. It is now for me and the lad to decide what is the best way forward for Craig Farr.

"However, I don't think a Craig Farr with the right attitude will want to be sitting around.

"When you take on an England Under 21 goalkeeper that's a statement in itself.

"However, I am someone who says never say never."

As for Griemink and Evans, the Dutchman is the established keeper at the County Ground while Evans has done his prospects no harm with a couple of solid displays on tour including a penalty save against Torquay United on Wednesday night.

Evans said: "I was reasonably happy with my first 90 minutes the other night and I hope people could see my potential."

Griemink is not about to stand aside and simply let the new boy take his place and he is certainly not afraid of the competition.

The 31-year-old said: "There is always going to be competition for places at a football club and as a professional you expect that.

"It's up to me to work hard in training and try and impress the gaffer during the matches.

"I'm really looking forward to the Portsmouth game. It's another chance to test ourselves."

However, King's major concern this morning was not so much the choice of keeper, but whether he had enough bodies to put out a competitive, healthy team against Harry Redknapp's Premiership side.

Tommy Mooney, Andy Gurney, Adi Viveash, Stefani Miglioranzi, Steve Robinson, Matty Hewlett and Alan Reeves are all carrying knocks picked up on the club's Devon tour.

King said: "I will have to see how everyone is but as I said before, it shows just how thin on the ground I am in terms of bodies."

The Town boss will now step up his quest to bring in two season-long loans to bolster his squad.

As for tonight's opponents, they will be looking to bounce back from a 5-4 defeat at Bournemouth last week.

Harry Redknapp is expected to bring a strong squad with him as Pompey prepare for top flight football for the first time in 15 years.

He said: "We are short of players but the ones we have are fit.

"Of the players we have, most will be involved and I am expecting Swindon to give us a good workout."

Tickets for tonight's clash with Portsmouth are priced as follows: Adults £8 (£5 for season ticket holders) and £3 juniors (£2 for season ticket holders).