ANDY King is expected to add Sunderland midfielder Thomas Butler to his squad for tomorrow's game with Bury.

The Town boss is a great admirer of the 20-year-old Irishman, a player he has likened in style to West Ham and England midfielder Joe Cole.

King watched Butler during Sunderland's 1-0 defeat at Liverpool last month and feels Town will benefit from his undoubted Premiership quality.

He said: "There are still some loose ends to be tied up, such as whether Peter Reid will allow the boy to play in the FA Cup, but I hope we can complete a loan deal today.

"The lad has wonderful balance and great technique and from what I have seen of him, I feel he can add something to Swindon Town. That's what I'm hoping anyway. I'm not saying he is another Joe Cole but his style is very much like that of the lad at West Ham."

Butler was voted his country's player of the year at Under 15 level and King hopes a spell in Division Two will help both the player's career and Swindon Town.

He said: "I have to be careful with regard to loans and I won't move for anyone unless I think they are right for this club. But I think Tommy has the quality to do a job here for me."

Far from seeking a favour from his old Everton team mate, King said Reid had been on the phone suggesting players to him. Ironically, King had set up a loan deal with another Sunderland player before Reid pulled the plug.

King said: "I had agreed for the boy Kevin Kyle to come here. He's a big lad and seen as the eventual successor to Niall Quinn.

"Unfortunately for Swindon Town he came on for Sunderland at Blackburn the other day and performed well. Peter (Reid) said he was sorry but couldn't let him go." Still on the Sunderland issue, King said speculation about striker Michael Reddy's return was off the mark.

He said: "Michael has been injured and has not played in enough reserve games. It wouldn't be fair to bring him back on that basis."

King's attempts to bring in a First Division player were also thwarted yesterday. He said: "It is proving very, very difficult because of the holiday period.

"The manager in this lad's case said I couldn't have the player until the New Year."

But new faces or not, King knows Bury will provide Town with the toughest of tests. He said: "Shaun Reid watched them and left me in no doubt that we are in for an unbelievable battle. Andy Preece has got a young, aggressive, mobile squad of players who are on a fantastic run. Make no mistake, this is an important game, but then they all are."

On the injury front, Paul Edwards and Razor Ruddock are both likely to miss out against Bury. Edwards received a bang to his hip against Notts County while Ruddock jarred his knee in training on Christmas Eve. King said: "David Duke also got a knock but hopefully he should be alright."

Town's home game with Huddersfield has been rearranged for Tuesday February 5 (7.45pm). Tickets purchased for the original date are still valid.

Tickets for Saturday's game are priced as follows: Adults £5, Concessions £3 and children £1.