TOWN'S young guns will be thrown into battle today with Andy King confident supporters will see the future is in good hands.

Nineteen-year-old Michael Pook will start in midfield with fellow youngsters Andy Caton, Ashan Holgate and Ben Wells all expected to be named on the bench.

The Town boss feels the time is right to see whether his young hopefuls will sink or swim but he is hopeful it will prove to be the latter.

King said: "The challenge is there for young Pook to tell me that I've done the right thing and that given time and experience he can replace Matt Hewlett and Steve Robinson.

"I don't think he's going to fail.

"Young Caton will probably get half a game so we'll see.

"There are opportunities for people to impress.

"I think the fans will see our future is in good hands."

Pook and Caton have already tasted action this season but midfielder Wells, still a first year scholar, and striker Holgate have yet to figure in a League One match for Town.

Holgate did grace the County Ground turf in pre-season, netting in a 2-1 defeat by Championship outfit Millwall.

On the injury front Town will be without Sam Parkin (hip), Stefani Miglioranzi (knee) and Brian Howard (knee) today.

Meanwhile striker Parkin has again been linked with Premiership side Portsmouth.

Pompey boss Alain Perrin is supposedly keen to sign both the Town man and Chelsea striker Mikael Forssell to replace Yakubu Ayegbeni who looks to be heading out of Fratton Park this summer.