ANDY KING is confident he can keep Ian Woan at the club despite reports that Reading are hot on his heels.

Royals boss Alan Pardew revealed this week he is interested in the former Forest midfielder and is keeping an eye on his progress at the County Ground.

The Division Two leaders had offered Woan a one week trial before he signed for Town on a month to month basis last week.

Caretaker boss King has been impressed with his new man and hopes to extend his stay.

King said: "I don't think it is going to be a problem. I was on my toes about that one and to be fair to Ian he told me about the Reading interest when we signed him.

"He came here to work for Swindon Town and to play for me. We will have first opportunity to sign him.

"It is Reading's fault really because they only offered him the chance of a week's trial, we wanted to take him on for the whole month."

King and Woan are old friends, a factor which could prove vital when it comes to sorting out the future.

"Ian is very happy here, he wants to come here and play for Swindon Town. However, if our performances continue to upgrade with Ian playing in the team then it is obvious that he is going to draw attention from other clubs.

"He is here for a month and is a Swindon Town player for the time being. If someone else comes in for him then I will have a chat with Ian. I have an honest relationship with all my players."

Woan has played a big part in the last two matches as Town's performances improve.

"Ian is a footballer," said King. "He has brought a new dimension to our play and I have been delighted with him.

"When I signed him I had a few people telling me that he would not battle, he would not run through the brick wall and that he did not have the bottle. I have seen nothing of that in his game so far.

"He has been brilliant since he came here, I could not have asked for any more."

Woan, 32, is also happy with playing at Swindon for Andy King.

"I have signed for a month and I am delighted to be here," he said. "There are a lot of games in that period of time and who knows, maybe I can do enough to earn myself a permanent deal."