King looks for instant impact

Loan ace hoping to prove a point at KC Stadium

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 15th August 2008

wigan marlon king barnsley pre-season friendly

King: Upbeat ahead of new season

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Marlon King is hoping to make a flying start to his career at Premier League new-boys Hull.

The striker has joined the Tigers on a season-long loan from Wigan and is desperate to prove a point to those at the JJB Stadium who have deemed him surplus to requirements.

The former Watford forward joined the Latics in a £5million deal in January, but just one goal in 15 appearances failed to convince Steve Bruce that he had invested wisely.

As a result, King could now be set to make his Hull debut against Fulham this Saturday, eager to silence the doubters who have questioned his ability to perform at the highest level.

Limited

"My goal was to come in in pre-season, get my head down and give the manager a headache at Wigan," he said.

"But when you are told your first-team opportunities are limited it kind of takes the wind out of you.

"Luckily the gaffer here said that he'd like me to try to help Hull.

"I never wanted to leave Wigan - and I still haven't - but I'm glad it's been resolved and I'm looking forward to tomorrow and playing my part."

Medical

Should he feature against the Cottagers at the weekend, King will come face-to-face with a side he looked set to join in January, before a failed medical eventually saw him head to Wigan instead of London.

"People talk about failing a medical but that's nonsense. I'd played another 50 or 60 games since my injury," he said.

"But that's football, it's business. There are no hard feelings against Fulham. Watford at the time did not want to renegotiate the deal.

"Whether it be Arsenal, Man United, Fulham - whoever it is, I'm looking forward to being part of history, Hull's first game in the Premier League.

"There is no better opportunity to get three points than at a full KC against Fulham."

Buzzing

Hull are widely tipped to make an immediate return to the Championship, but King insists that everyone connected with the club believes they are capable of maintaining their Premier League status.

"It's the first season in the Premier League," he added.

"The whole city is buzzing.

"Everybody here is upbeat and enthusiastic about trying to get the first points on the board on Saturday."