England News

• Nickname:Three Lions
• Founded: 1872
• Manager:Roy Hodgson

• Ground:Wembley Stadium
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Knee woe sidelines King

10 Oct 2006 - 11:17:57

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Tottenham defender Ledley King has been forced to pull out of the England squad for the Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia because of a knee injury.

The 25-year-old missed training on Monday and did not board the plane for the trip to Zagreb on Tuesday.

The Football Association's director of communications Adrian Bevington said: "While Ledley King didn't suffer any reaction overnight to his knee, further to conversations involving Ledley, Steve McClaren and England's medical staff, immediately before flying this morning, it has become clear that Ledley is not entirely comfortable.

"Therefore, as a precaution the England medical staff and Steve McClaren felt it was in Ledley's best interests not to fly and so he is out of the game."

King played against FYR Macedonia on Saturday as a replacement for Rio Ferdinand who had a back injury.

The Manchester United defender was able to train on Monday and is expected to regain his place in the starting line-up against Croatia.