ANDY KING headed for Colchester today ready to pen an extension to his current contract and has made it clear he will accept the terms on offer without the need to haggle.

While the fans wait to hear which players will be offered deals, the County Ground boss is also keen to sort out his own future.

King's present contract expires in December and he does not want to prepare for the 2003-4 campaign knowing he can look no further than Christmas.

He said: "I've made it clear that I don't think it would be fair to myself or the football club if I went into a new season with a contract that expired halfway through it.

"It's now for the club to decide whether they want to offer me something.

"Mark Devlin said he would talk about it with the rest of the directors.

"And the reaction I've had is that hopefully the club would like to make me an offer.

"It wouldn't be a question of negotiating either. It would be a case of being offered something and accepting it.

"If it does happen, then I suppose some people will be happy, some won't.

"I have said all along that this is a proper football club and I would love the chance to have some success here.

"People might say I'm naive or stupid, but I still believe that I am only three or four players away from a very good side. The problem is finding those four players."

Town were expected to be unchanged for the trip to Colchester today with the County Ground boss making it clear that the 'wannabes' at the club had displeased him following midweek defeats at youth and reserve level.

Defeats at the hands of Swindon Supermarine and Colchester reserves have annoyed King and he is not in the mood to hand out first team chances willy-nilly.

He said: "Players have to earn the right to get into my team. They had better understand that."

Sam Parkin is one player the club are keen to talk to about a new deal.

King is full of praise for the player although he has added a note of caution to the current Parkin 'mania'.

He said: "My advice to Sam Parkin is to keep scoring 24 goals a season, playing in the right manner, remain level-headed and the rewards will come.

"All credit to the boy. He came here with no real reputation and you wonder what his ambitions were this time last year.

"He has been good for the club but this club showed faith in Sam.

"But I believe he can play in the Premiership and nice people do get rewards in life.

"As for Colchester, I am confident we can get a result. "And while any changes, if any will be minimal, the 4-3-3 option is at the back of my mind. We'll see."