King delighted

England (CMC): Reggae Boy striker Marlon King says he was heartened by the response of Coventry City fans to his return to professional football, following a jail sentence for sexual assault.

Reaction to his signing last week was split, but the 30-year-old played just over 37 minutes for Coventry City in their 2-1 loss to Preston North End at the Ricoh Arena last Saturday and received an excellent reception from the crowd.

"It's been a relief for me to make my debut, but obviously it's been disappointing because of the result ... ," King said.

"It was a great response from the fans when I came on and I just want to thank them and the club for giving me the opportunity to get my career back on track.

"I just want to repay them with performances and goals on the pitch."

King entered the game as a 53rd-minute substitute, and with the anticipated backlash from the crowd never materialising proceeded to set up Aron Gunnarsson's 61st-minute goal, while watching a goal-bound effort cleared off the line later in the game.

His debut came after he reached a one-year deal with Coventry, believed to be worth £10,000 a week.

King was released from jail in July after serving just half of an 18-month jail sentence for groping and punching a 20-year-old student while out celebrating in a London nightclub last year.