ANDY KING will target a young Sunderland striker to lead his attack if Chelsea continue to dither over the future of Sam Parkin.

The 21-year-old scored his third goal in as many games as Town fought out a 1-1 draw with Wimbledon on Saturday but a deal to secure his services for three months seems as far off as ever.

If nothing is agreed by the time Town face Sporting Gijon on Sunday, King will reluctantly accept the Parkin deal is a dead duck and turn his attention to the Stadium of Light.

King met Chelsea number two Gwyn Williams after the clash with the Wombles but rather than offering to tie up the deal, he painted a picture of strife at Stamford Bridge.

The Town manager has been told Parkin can remain at the County Ground for another week but then the striker may well be called back for reserve team duties at Chelsea.

However, enough is enough for King, and if a deal for Parkin is not in place by this weekend, he will seek alternatives.

He said: "He stays here until they (Chelsea) make a decision. If I haven't had an answer by the time we face Sporting Gijon, then I will look elsewhere.

"Gwyn Williams has said there is turmoil at Chelsea but my great hope is that we can resolve the Sam Parkin situation in our favour because I think we would benefit from his signing. The boy certainly wants to play."

The manager is unwilling to let the player himself speak on the subject but the Evening Advertiser has discovered Parkin is 'miffed' to say the least by the deadlock and is desperate to join King's squad.

If the Parkin deal collapses King is likely to be on the phone to his friend Peter Reid.

His target is unclear but it is not thought to be former loanee Michael Reddy. Two other strikers currently on Sunderland's books who could fit the bill are 19-year-old Frenchman David Bellion and 21-year-old Michael Proctor.

As for other new faces, an impressive home debut by former Nottingham Forest defender Gareth Edds has left King keen to talk with the 21-year-old, providing the price is right.

He said: "I don't know about Gareth yet as I have not talked finances with him.

"But he is a neat and tidy footballer. He has had a good education at Nottingham Forest.

"It is all about getting the pieces to fit in time for the Barnsley game and I haven't got them to fit as yet."

King is also expected to meet Buckingham Town midfielder Darren Dykes this week to see if a deal can be agreed to bring the player to the County Ground.

Danny Invincible (hamstring) and Andy Gurney (thigh) aggravated existing niggles on Saturday and join Steve Robinson and Matty Hewlett on the list of 'doubtfuls' for the visit of Watford on Wednesday (7.45pm).