ANDY KING was praying for good news from White Hart Lane today as he seeks to tie up a loan deal for 'as talented a player as there is at Tottenham Hotspur'.

As he prepared for tonight's Carling Cup first round clash at Rushden & Diamonds, the Town boss was waiting on a decision from his young target.

Attacking midfielder/striker Mark Yeates is thought to be top of the wanted list with Rohan Ricketts, Jamie Slabber and Dean Marney also in contention for a temporary stay in Wiltshire.

Dublin-born Yeates, a Republic of Ireland Under 21 international, made his first team debut in the final game of last season and had two months on loan at Brighton and Hove Albion.

King said: "Frank Arnesen has rung me. All I was asking for was to be spoken to, to be kept in touch with and to have an indication of their thinking.

"I threw a player at him (Arnesen) and at the moment it's someone I'm happy with.

"Whether it will materialise I don't know.

"An agent's rung me to say there is a meeting with the player and Frank with thoughts of coming to Swindon.

"If it does happen, I will say quite openly that he is as talented a player as there is at Tottenham Hotspur.

"Whether he'll suit us I don't know, but he is a very, very talented player."

If he can land his man, King might soon have a double reason to celebrate.

Leigh Mills has already appeared in Spurs' reserve side this year and if he progresses further, Town will come into some cash. Part of the deal which took Mills to White Hart Lane included sums to be paid on completion of first team appearances.

King said:"Young Mills played for the reserves the other day at the age of 16. It's a massive achievement.

"Maybe we're going to get a Christmas bonus here with a bit of luck."

Still on the subject of deals, King is unswayed in his desire to secure Darius Henderson's services.

The Gillingham man has been refused permission to play at Nene Park tonight and King is likely to give Lloyd Opara a chance to impress.

Of Henderson though, King said: "He and Parkin looked like a very strong combination on Saturday.

"I said to someone he looked like a young Mooney. That's the compliment I paid him.

"That's the one thing I had to replace in the summer. So if I can do that by doing something more permanent with Henderson then I will."

With both Parkin and Henderson having scored on their respective Town debuts, King hopes the same will apply to Opara, if selected.

He joked: "Let's hope the luck continues."

Not that the manager is laughing about the timing of tonight's clash.

With several players carrying knocks and two games looming over the Bank Holiday weekend, King is less than impressed with the fixture list.

Stefani Miglioranzi is struggling with a groin injury, while David Duke misses the game through suspension.

King said: "I'm taking it seriously but I wouldn't give up a league position for a Carling Cup run because I know the dream will eventually end.

"I'm very aware I've got two games at the weekend. It's come at a terrible time of the season."