King completes loan move to Leeds

Striker Marlon King today completed a loan move to Leeds as boss Kevin Blackwell added goal-power to his squad for a play-off push.

The 24-year-old striker has joined until the end of the season from Nottingham Forest, after falling out of favour at the City Ground, and will go into the squad for tomorrow’s trip to face Millwall.

King scored 47 goals for Gillingham over three seasons before joining Forest but he has not fitted into new manager Gary Megson’s plans.

“When I learnt Kevin Blackwell wanted me at Leeds I did not hesitate,” King told www.leedsunited.com.

“It’s a massive club and one which should be in the Premiership. When I get my chance I hope to make the most of it and get some goals.”

King’s move to Elland Road came about after Brian Deane took a kick on the ankle in training last week.

Deane has yet to recover from that setback while Julian Joachim is still a week or longer away from returning from a hamstring problem.

Blackwell, whose side lie 10th in the Championship, explained why he used his final loan option for the season on another front player.

“A striker gives you another option sometimes, we’re in with a chance of pushing into the play-offs and I might as well go for it,” he said.

“If you sign a defender people say you’re being negative, but with Marlon I know we’ve got a good option there.”