ANDY King has hailed Lee Holmes as a 'superb catch' while also revealing how England's biggest fish in the left-wing stakes once wriggled tantalisingly free from his grasp.

The Town boss is delighted that Derby County have agreed to allow the teenager to stay in Wiltshire for a second month, albeit with a 24-hour recall clause.

Holmes has added a new dimension to the side, but King's quest to find a winger did not start and end with the man from Pride Park.

King sees such players as a very rare breed and he has cast the net far and wide in search of one.

That includes the north east, and the manager can boast a very impressive 'near miss', a young man by the name of Stewart Downing.

King said: "I go everywhere watching games and I couldn't tell you another left-winger, wing-backs yes but not natural wingers.

"One of the few out there, someone I tried to get 18 months ago, is now being talked about as being the next England superstar, the boy Stewart Downing.

"I was very much after him, hoped to bring him here and then he made the breakthrough into the first team."

Not that King sees Holmes as a poor 'replacement'.

His only disappointment is knowing the youngster could be whisked back to Derby at a moment's notice.

He said: "There is an agreement but there is a 24 hour recall in the second month.

"He could go back on Saturday night if Derby get injuries in their game at West Ham on Sunday or we could have him here for the full month.

"It's a wing and prayer situation with these clauses in loan deals."

However long he remains in Wiltshire, King will be happy to have him.

He said: "He has shown a maturity well beyond his 17 years and has been a superb catch.

"To get him was fantastic. "With the way he plays he's a Chris Waddle for me. That's who he reminds me of."

As for Holmes himself he is inspired by the progress Downing has made at Middlesbrough and hopes he won't be the only talked-about English left-winger in years to come.

He said: "If you've got the talent then there'll be a time when that talent has to show.

"Stewart looks to be a great player and it won't be long before he's looking at the England squad."

Holmes knows he's not being talked about in Downing terms just yet but he's just as hungry to succeed.

He said: "Football can change for you in a matter of days and weeks sometimes."