EVERTON'S Sean O'Hanlon has happily swapped his blue shirt for a red one after jumping at the chance to aid Town's play-off push.

The 21-year-old is included in the squad to face Notts County today and manager Andy King is hoping the youngster lives up to the glowing recommendation provided by Toffees' boss David Moyes.

England Under 20 international O'Hanlon said: "This is a great opportunity to play first team football and when I was told about the Swindon interest, I said yes straightaway.

"I've been with the reserves at Everton for three years and this is a chance to test myself in the first team at a very competitive level and to become a better player.

"Hopefully I can be good for Swindon Town and Swindon Town can be good for me."

So how does O'Hanlon, who picks out Martin Keown and clubmate David Weir as inspirational influences, see himself and what will he bring to Town?

He said: "I'm no Thierry Henry but I'm certainly not slow. Defending comes first but I do like to get forward.

King said: "David Moyes assured me that he felt the kid had a great chance in the game.

"He's 21, hasn't had the first team chances at Everton and sometimes you get stale in that situation. David felt getting away would do the boy the world of good. I trust David and so we've taken Sean.

"Whether he plays against Notts County, we'll have to wait and see.

"I understand he can play right-back but I see him here as a central defender."

It looks a straight fight between O'Hanlon and Alan Reeves to partner Matt Heywood at the heart of the defence but King will have to wait for fitness reports on a couple of other players before naming his team.

Stefani Miglioranzi's continuing groin problem means he will almost certainly miss out against the Magpies.

Steve Robinson would be the obvious choice to continue in Miglioranzi's absence but the Nottingham-born midfielder could miss out on a trip home if a bout of flu gets the better of him.

Tommy Mooney suffered a slight groin strain earlier in the week but trained without discomfort yesterday.

Andy Gurney and Rory Fallon complete their respective bans today and the shortage of troops has resulted in a call-up for midfielder Michael Pook.

The youngster, who made his first team debut in October's LDV defeat at Boston United, has impressed in recent youth and reserve games, so it is not simply a case of making up the numbers.

Defender Luke Garrard was also named in the party to travel north this morning.

King said: "Steve Robinson is a

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quick recoverer, he wants to play and so I'm hoping he'll be okay."

As for Notts County, King is not expecting another 4-0 stroll for Town, as was the case in August.

The manager and the personnel have changed since then, with King's old friend Billy Dearden having been replaced by Gary Mills.

He said: "Good luck to Gary. He's brought in five new bodies to freshen things up and liven up the club.

"Billy was there for two years and had to work without that luxury. I understand they put together a quality performance in winning at Wrexham.

"But if we play to our full potential, then I'm not worried about Notts County."

Meanwhile, defender Ben Martin has joined Conference outfit Farnborough Town on a month's loan.

Andy King said: "It's an opportunity for the lad to test himself at a good standard while playing first team football."

Meanwhile stand-in skipper Matty Hewlett is urging his colleagues to avoid the 'bottom four woe' which afflicted Andy King's men last season.

Town's Achilles heel in 2002-3 was an inability to conquer struggling sides.

Faint play-off hopes were crushed last year with successive defeats against Northampton, Cheltenham and Mansfield respectively. All three were subsequently relegated.

Of the current bottom four, Town have already lost to Chesterfield and Stockport this season.

Hewlett said: "We slipped up badly in these sort of games last year and it cost us in the end."

Despite County's lowly position however, Hewlett knows the Magpies will be no pushovers.

He said: "A new manager has come in and their lads will probably be feeling more confident, especially at home."

The Bristolian has happy memories of the encounter between Town and the Magpies at the County Ground back in August.

He thumped home the opening goal in a 4-0 thrashing of the Magpies, his only strike of the campaign to date.

The midfielder is not encouraging supporters to place a bet on a repeat performance.

He said: "Keep your money in your pocket," he joked.