ANDY KING has admitted that it has been hard for him to keep a dignified silence for the past five months.

The Town boss was given his marching orders in August by former chairman Danny Donegan, who later made some less than flattering remarks about King's managerial skills.

King said his wife had kept an eye on Swindon Town affairs via the internet, radio and newspapers and had reported back to him that the majority of remarks being made about him were far from complimentary.

He said: "Believe you me, I took all the abuse and suffered in silence. I could have lashed out and slung some mud of my own but I chose not to.

"But I'm back now and I hope everyone realises that all I want is for Swindon Town football club to be successful.

"Obviously, I am still puzzled as to why I have had abuse from some sections of the crowd but all I ask is for a chance to get on with the job.

"Please let me do what I love doing, working with players and trying to get results. I've broad enough shoulders to accept criticism but I just worry that it could damage the players.

"Nobody wins in that situation."

King said he understood how Roy Evans had been loved by the fans but it was again slightly odd in that Colin Todd had quit and was treated as a traitor, yet Evans had decided to leave but had had nothing but adulation.

He said: "But I'm not interested in the past. This is a wonderful football club and one which has the potential to be even better if it can sort itself out."

King has suffered a blow ahead of today's game with a PFA embargo thwarting his attempts to bring in Sunderland midfielder Thomas Butler on loan.

The youngster was all set to board a train to Wiltshire when news came through that the deal was off.

Money borrowed to pay wages has yet to be paid back to the PFA and no-one will be joining Andy King's squad until the situation is resolved.

As for other potential recruits, embargo permitting, midfielder Ian Woan looks likely to join up with Town on a training basis but nothing has been agreed beyond that.

King said: "Ideally, I would like to sort out a week to week deal with Ian but clearly he would like something a bit firmer than that. We'll see what happens."

Don't forget that all adult tickets for this afternoon's game are £5 (providing they were purchased before 5pm yesterday).