IAN HERRING'S Swindon Town dream looks to be over after Andy King told the youngster he is free to look for another club.

The County Ground boss broke the news to the 19-year-old after training yesterday and although there is a glimmer of hope for the defender, it is effectively 'goodbye'.

Herring's current deal expires over the festive period and King does not feel he can extend the player's contract.

However, rather than simply giving Herring an unhappy Christmas, the Swindonian will have January to either fix himself up elsewhere, while still being paid, or to convince King that he should change his mind.

King said: "I've spoken to the boy and it's fair to say he's not in my plans at this stage. I don't feel there has been quite the progression there that I would have hoped for.

"We have discussed a month-to-month situation whereby he will have January to try and sort himself out with a new club."

It has been a topsy-turvy 12 months for Herring.

Last Christmas, as a third-year scholar, he was told he would not be offered a professional contract.

However, after loan spells at Salisbury City and Chippenham Town he forced his way into the first team in the latter stages of last season and impressed in successive matches against Crewe and Plymouth.

It was enough to earn him a temporary reprieve, although sadly for the teenager, not a permanent one.

His involvement this year has been restricted to two starts a league defeat at Bristol City and the LDV Vans Trophy reverse at Boston.

However, he was one of the club's heroes in the narrow Carling Cup defeat at Leeds confidently finding the net in the penalty shoot-out.

He said: "It's disappointing but I don't really want to say too much about it."

Unless King does have a change of heart, Herring will become the second home-grown youngster to leave the club in a short space of time.

Striker Alan Young saw his contract cancelled by mutual consent last week.

While Herring and Young have had their chance to impress, the club's present crop of third year scholars (or final year apprentices) will shortly discover their fate.

The Town boss has consistently stated that youngsters must be capable of challenging existing first-teamers if they are to be handed a deal.

He said: "It does these kids no favours to keep them on if they are not going to provide that challenge. In my book, they've stayed another year but how have you really helped them? All they are is another year older."

Town's final year scholars awaiting their fate are Dave Bampton, Jamie Cheeseman, Mark Draycott, Steve Smith and Danny Taylor.