Rui makes top-notch Marques

9:07am Wednesday 21st May 2008

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LEEDS United have received a pre-Wembley play-off final boost from key defender Rui Marques.

The 30-year-old Angolan international has agreed a new two-year contract to extend his stay at Elland Road. And now he is looking to cement his decision by helping Leeds keep out fellow Yorkshire rivals Doncaster Rovers in Sunday's Coca-Cola One play-off showdown for the right to return to the Championship.

Talks over a new deal with the rugged sentinel were shelved until the end of the league term, but the man who has played in the World Cup of 2006 and this year's African Cup of Nations, has now inked the deal.

Though he joined Leeds in 2005, Marques did not make his league debut until January last year after which he established himself as one of the team's main rearguard props under Dennis Wise.

He has continued the same form under new manager Gary McAllister, who was delighted at Marques' commitment to the club, which provides a major lift in the countdown to the Wembley duel.

The man in the middle on Sunday will be Andy D'Urso.