Andy King has warned Leicester City's Championship rivals that someone will get a hiding when they eventually click as unit.

City have struggled to match their pre-season billing as promotion favourites so far this season.

Manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has admitted he still has plenty of work to do to mould his squad, which includes 12 new signings, into a cohesive unit.

But King, right, who came off the bench to score City's equaliser at Barnsley on Saturday with his first touch, said the signs were there that when they do finally gel, they will be a formidable force.

"I think we have that (giving someone a hiding) in our locker," he said.

"We have good players and people who can score goals. If we get that right and produce a consistent 90 minutes, then I can't see why that can't happen.

"We are starting to play well in phases. We have to do that for 90 minutes now. The more we play and the more we stick to the same things, then people will get used to each other and the system we are playing.

"I think the problem is inconsistency at times. We are still getting used to each other.

"We have a lot of new players and that does take time to gel. We are still finding out which shape works and who fits in where."

City recovered from a poor first half at Oakwell when Eriksson reverted to a 4-4-2, with King at the top of a midfield diamond, and the Wales international admitted the system gave him licence to make his trademark runs into the opposition penalty box, which led to his goal on Saturday.

However, he believes he can be equally effective in any system that Eriksson chooses to adopt against league leaders Brighton at the King Power Stadium this Saturday.

"We have only just started playing a diamond the last couple of games, and we played 4-3-3 all last season and I enjoyed playing in that," said King, who is fighting for a starting spot against the Seagulls.

"But I enjoy the diamond as well because I can get forward and it gives me a bit more freedom as well.

"I don't mind either. As long as I am playing then I am happy.

"I can play in a 4-4-2, a 4-3-3 and I have proved that before under previous managers. I can play in the diamond as well.

"It is just about rounding my game, keep learning and, hopefully, I can nail down that place in the team."