King

Watford boss Adrian Boothroyd has insisted that any Barclays Premier League team hoping to take Jamaican international Marlon King off his hands will have to pick up a hefty £60million price tag.

Speculation in recent weeks had linked the ace striker with a possible move to newly-promoted Derby County, but according to the manager of the club, which was relegated to the Championship division last season, that's just not going to happen.

"If we get into the Premier League, we get £60million, so unless someone's got £60m, Marlon isn't going anywhere. Simple as that," Boothroyd told the club's official web site watfordfc. premiumtv.co.uk.

"We haven't received a bid and they (Derby) don't have enough money," he added.

Knee injury

King, who was sidelined with a knee injury for most of last season, has made no secret of his desire to play top flight football. The striker, now 27, looked to be set for a promising 2004-05 campaign after leading Watford's promotion bid and the Championship division with 22 goals, but despite that fact he seems contented with staying at Watford for now.

"I had an offer in the summer to move to a Premiership club. I don't think it was so much a case of me turning it down but the gaffer telling me I wasn't going anywhere. He's got faith in me and it's a two-way street," King was recently quoted as saying.

"I want to continue playing for him and for Watford and I'm confident that I will be in the Premiership with Watford again," he added.

Two-year ban

According to Boothroyd, the striker, who is currently serving a two-year ban imposed by the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), will be a key part of the team's plans for the upcoming season. The manager, like his star forward, is confident that the team will regain its status in the top flight.

"As long as I am here, he is here. He will stay. All these reports are just speculation," Boothroyd said.

"He stays. He is part of the core of the team who won promotion (in 2006).

"He missed out last year in the Premiership but he is going to get us back there," he added. "He is a key part of my plans, so a move isn't going to happen. He is staying," Boothroyd stressed.

In 12 appearances for Jamaica, King had a 50 per cent strike ratio - netting six times. However, he will not become eligible for selection for the national team until May of next year, should he serve the full duration of the ban imposed by the JFF disciplinary committee earlier this year.