GILLINGHAM captain Paul Smith says striker Marlon King is ready to show the Priestfield supporters his best form in 2003 following a difficult year.

King was jailed to 18 months in March for handling stolen goods but, on appeal, the sentence was reduced and he was released last month.

After taking time to settle back into normal life, the 22-year-old netted twice in the 3-1 victory over Bradford on Saturday, a performance Smith believes won't just be a one-off now the forward has regained his match fitness.

He said: “It's good to have him back. I think he might have been thrown into the team a little early after coming out of prison. Fitness does take time. It took us six or seven weeks in the summer to get our fitness back and it has shown with Marlon.

“But he is now beginning to get the sharpness back and it was beginning to show on Saturday. He was a threat all afternoon and I’m pleased to see him bang in a couple of goals.”

King was Gillingham’s top scorer last season with 20 goals in all competitions.