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Wigan Athletic
King pleased with international U-turn
Story by Paul Farrington
2008-02-14
Just last week the Jamaican F.A. made a u-turn on King's international ban for breaking curfew over two years ago.
The 27 year old's international return meant a 10,000 mile round-trip and a return just the day before facing Sunderland for the Latics.
King told the Wigan Evening Post: "It was a long journey and a long few days going over to Jamaica but it helped my fitness. Before I signed for Wigan, I hadn't played for three weeks, so the more games I can play, the sharper I can get.
"I've played four games in two weeks now - against Middlesbrough, West Ham and Sunderland for Wigan, and in Jamaica's game. I felt a bit stiff-legged at Boro on my debut but I've been fine since then, and my fitness is getting better.
"It was a nine-hour flight to Jamaica but I got through the 90 minutes and set up our goal which was nice. Of course it's a tough schedule with all the flying, training and playing.
"But it's a privilege to be called up by your country. A lot of players don't get that chance, so it's not something I will turn down. I'm averaging about a goal every two games for Jamaica and it would be nice to emulate that playing for Wigan.
"My next aim is to score my first goal for Wigan."It's a little bit frustrating not playing this coming weekend because you want to put things right after a defeat as soon as possible.
"We have to be patient though, and concentrate over the next few days on learning from the mistakes we made at Sunderland. Really we should have won that match 3-0 or 4-0. We hit the bar, the post, the ball was cleared off the line and their keeper played well.
"Chris Kirkland hardly had a save to make but we got done by a set-piece for the first goal and a stunner for the second. It's Derby next and I'm sure they will come and try to make things as difficult as possible for us.
"A lot of people would say Derby are already relegated, but they won't want to go down having been embarrassed. But as long as we stick to our jobs and do them well, we have got enough quality to take the points."
The Wigan Evening Post is available to buy from a local newsagents now.
Meanwhile, the club are currently giving trials to two Chinese players and there are rumours that both Eric Black and Steve Bruce have been in France on a scouting mission.