'HANDY' Andy Nicholas is rapidly becoming a County Ground favourite, but he is quite determined not to fall into the 'Big-time Charlie' trap that has dashed many a young player's promising career.

The 20-year-old has enjoyed a meteoric rise since joining Town from Liverpool pre-season.

The defender fitted firmly into the 'one for the future' category but has since exceeded all expectations.

Supporters asked 'Andy who?' when Nicholas signed on the dotted line but in manager Andy King's words, the shirt is now for him to lose.

The youngster's elevation to the first team has coincided with an impressive run.

And despite having less than a dozen first team games under his belt, King has suggested that the England Under 21 selectors could do worse than take a look at the defender.

Preliminary talks have also taken place about extending the youngster's current deal at the club.

After Saturday's 2-1 victory at Notts County, the Town boss felt Nicholas had passed yet another test in keeping his cool following an early booking.

The manager said of Nicholas: "He's grown up so quickly that I can't recognise him.''

But with praise comes the risk of a youngster getting carried away by his own publicity.

Nicholas is determined that he will not suffer the fate of being 'here today and gone tomorrow'. Both his manager and his dad are unlikely to allow that scenario to occur.

The young defender said: "I came to Swindon in the summer and it's fair to say that nobody knew too much about me. I suppose I was just a kid from Liverpool.

"I've been given a chance now and hopefully I've taken it. Having said all that I know that I've still got a long way to go."

Nicholas admits that talk of the England Under 21 set-up is a terrific boost, especially when it comes from the manager himself.

He said: "It's great to hear comments like that from your boss.

"It shows he has faith in you, is backing you and believes in you. He's said to me that he feels I can still get better and of course that's what you're always looking to do."

Some players reach a certain level and promptly forget what got them there in the first place. That isn't going to happen with Nicholas.

He said: "The gaffer has told me to keep my feet on the ground and to keep doing the things that have got me to the stage I'm at now.

"My dad also pointed out that I've only played a handful of games and that it's important not to get distracted by what people are saying."

Town's youngsters are in FA Youth Cup action tomorrow night when they entertain Cardiff City in the fourth round of the competition (7pm). The prize for the victors is a home tie with Cambridge United in round five.