Stoke City striker Ben Marshall has joined United for a second loan spell this afternoon that will keep him at the club until 3 January 2011.

Marshall, 18, is well known to United fans having played 20 games and scored 3 goals in a loan deal that eventually extended through the second half of last season.

He joined the Potters from Crewe in July 2009 having progressed through the Railwaymen's impressive Youth system.

He also enjoyed loan spells with Cheltenham and Northampton last season scoring 4 goals in his combined 24 appearances.

Manager Greg Abbott said: "We know what Ben brings having had him for so long last season and we are delighted to be able to bring him back.

"The way we play football at the moment will suit him and he will give us strength in depth. He is very focused and he will come here to do well, and we are really looking forward to working with him again."