Transfers: who will be City's scoring king?

Andy Thorn has a 'good feeling' that Marlon King will sign a new contract, Gary McSheffrey feels he can step into King's shoes should the striker move on and the rumour mill about a potential replacement has already begun.

The search for a 20-goal striker will be the key transfer issue for Coventry City this summer with the preferred option for all at the club being a new contract for King. The circumstances surrounding his availability last summer meant that the Sky Blues were able to sign a Premier League player for free and towards the end of the campaign that quality shone through as the focal point of Andy Thorn's revamped system.

Aidy Boothroyd's sacking could have signalled a summer move away for the player but the feelgood factor generated by Thorn and King's acceptance by the supporters means a deal is now looking more likely than before.

Early names in the frame as a potential replacement, such as Cody McDonald and Clayton Donaldson do little to dispel the idea that of City's 'big three' out of contract players it is King who is key to their fortunes next season.

80% of those voting in the current poll on Vital Coventry say that keeping King is more important than either Aron Gunnarsson or Keiren Westwood.

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