SAM PARKIN has dropped a heavy hint that he is ready to sign another 12-month deal at the County Ground with his manager insistent - 'He's no one-season wonder'.

The 22-year-old struck four goals in 35 minutes as Town buried Bideford 6-1 in Devon last night.

If a summer of inactivity had left him a touch rusty, it certainly didn't show and the former Chelsea man is hoping his scorching start to pre-season is a good omen for the campaign ahead.

He said: "It's great to get off the mark so early in pre-season.

"Last season is gone now. You start from scratch and I know I have to keep scoring goals. I was determined last year. I am even more determined this time.

"As for my position at the club, the players the gaffer has brought in convinces me that we can make a challenge for the play-offs this time. It's where a club with ambition needs to be.

"Let's see how we start off and then I'm sure I'd be happy to extend my deal for at least another season - if the club are willing to do so. I'm enjoying it so much here."

The man who rescued Parkin from Chelsea's reserves enjoyed the striker's four-goal blitz, but wasn't surprised by it.

Andy King said: "I knew there was no question of Sam Parkin having forgotten how to score goals during the close season. "I've said all along that Sam Parkin is the best striker in this league and I'm not about to change that view."

As for last night's victory, King was happy with the second half display, having been less than impressed with his troops in the opening period.

He said: "I wasn't very happy in the first 45 minutes. You can say Bideford were up for it and then tired after the break but I don't hold with that. For me, the second half side I put out did more positive things.

"Having said that, if we are sloppy like we were in the first half, we will pay for it. Torquay tomorrow will be fitter and have a higher skill level."

King, meanwhile, has heard that verbal approval has been forthcoming from the Football League for all his summer signings.

One face missing from the Devon tour is Danny Murphy. The former Queens Park Rangers left-back will not be offered a 12-month deal and has been told to try his luck elsewhere.