Boothroyd sweats over King deal

COVENTRY, England (CMC):

Coventry City's delay in signing disgraced Reggae Boyz striker Marlon King has also left manager Aidy Boothroyd puzzled.

"The hold-up is beyond my control and I can't give you a clue what that hold up is because I haven't got a clue myself," he said.

King has trained with the club since being released from jail in July after serving half of an 18-month sentence for sexual assault.

The 30-year-old had been ex-pected to make his debut for the Championship side against Leicester last Saturday, but the two parties failed to strike a deal.

With Coventry City having won just once in their last six outings, Boothroyd said he desperately wanted the striker at the West Midlands club.

"Everybody wants him here and I'm hoping and praying that we can get him here soon because we need him," he lamented.

Stalling the process

"He's a winner and he would massively add to a very strong squad - as long as everybody in that squad applies themselves for the whole game."

King's agent, Tony Finnigan, said he was also puzzled by the delay, but noted it was Coventry City who had stalled the process.

"He's passed his medical and we've sorted out the finances which are nowhere near the money he has earned," Finnigan said.

"He is starting again and no one is breaking any pay structures to get him in so the hold up is with Coventry City, not us."