ANDY KING has been frustrated in his bid to bring midfielder Bradley Orr to the County Ground and barring loan deals his squad is now complete for the forthcoming campaign.

The Town boss looked poised to add the former Newcastle United man to his squad but the Evening Advertiser understands the board were anxious to keep some funds aside for a possible 'rainy day' later in the campaign.

Supporters expecting another one, two or three new faces ahead of the big kick-off are going to be disappointed.

Orr, released by the Magpies at the end of last season, looked set to choose Town ahead of Bristol City but the Liverpudlian is now expected to sign for Brian Tinnion's Ashton Gate outfit on Monday.

King missed out late on Thursday night after learning the necessary funds were not going to be released by the board.

While the manager is disappointed, he accepts that budget decisions are out of his control.

King said: "I was aware of the young boy Orr and tried to manoeuvre that one but as it stands, what I've got is what I've got to get on with. The funds are not available at this moment in time.

"Losing the boy was a 'down' but we just have to get on with it.

"We have our squad structure in place and that's how we're going to start the season."

It had been widely expected that the money freed up by Tommy Mooney's decision to move on would be immediately accessible to King but it seems those behind the scenes are anxious to have funds in reserve should they be required later in the campaign."

While King accepts the purse strings must be tightly controlled with cash still tight at the club, he would love the opportunity for a spending spree.

He said: "Obviously as a manager I'd like more.

"I think my track record with players shows I can be trusted with money.

"But it isn't there at the moment."

Despite his Orr frustration, King, who is still hoping to secure a Tottenham Hotspur player on a season-long loan as part of the Leigh Mills deal, is not unhappy with his squad as it stands.

He said: "I still feel I start the season with a squad that I believe will challenge.

"We've lost Tommy Mooney, but we've brought in Ifil and Opara."

While the last 48 hours has been largely dominated by departures, King is delighted that one new face will be at training on Monday Mike Walsh.

He will become King's No 2 on a short-term basis with a view to a longer agreement.

Walsh was assistant boss during Steve McMahon's often stormy tenure at the County Ground before falling victim to drastic cost-cutting measures back in January 2000.

King said: "After his contract was terminated at this club, he remained in the area. He is very knowledgable about the game and is a very good coach. For the last three years he's been a scout and knows the market place."