MARSHALL’S OUT TO MAKE HIS MARK AT SKY BLUES

TWO years of solitude has given Mark Marshall a taste of reality – but the Coventry new-boy is still hungry to prove a point after completing his drugs ban.

Marshall tested positive for a banned stimulant after a game for former club Barnet on Boxing Day 2011.

But the 26-year-old, who spent his time working as a personal trainer, is determined to make an impact for the Sky Blues.

“I was a personal trainer in and around the Wimbledon and London area where I’m from and I would often be in the park training by myself,” said Marshall, who has signed a deal until June.

“I had to work out of football; face the fact that football was on hold and get on with it. And it was great to be able to do something that kept me fit.

“I built up a client base but I always had an eye on coming back. I had football taken away from me but I am young enough to come back.

“The two years seemed never-ending. I was allowed to go back to training in October but the last thing I wanted to do was go from place to place looking for a club so I waited until January when the ban was up and thankfully someone has given me the opportunity to get back in.”

Steven Pressley initially took him on trial but Marshall has made an instant impression and the City boss says a longer-term deal is on offer if he does well between now and the end of the season.

“The lad has come in and we have an agreement with him to join us and further assess him,” he said.

“I think he’s going to be a very exciting player for us. Prior to his ban which, when you speak to him about and get the detail on and see it was very harsh, he was a player very much in demand.

“He’s hungry, got exciting ability and he’s desperate to prove himself. He’s turned down a number of offers to come here and, certainly between now and the end of the season, he’s got the chance to prove to us that he deserves a longer deal.”