Source: Team_Talk
King dreaming of World Cup spot
Tottenham defender Ledley King says his injury problems have made him a "more complete player" as he eyes a place in England's World Cup squad.[LNB] King is regarded as one of the best defenders in the country on his day but doubts remain over whether the 29-year-old could cope with a major international tournament.[LNB]King's chronic knee problem often prevents him from playing two games in a week for Spurs so playing several games in a short space of time for England could prove problematic, but King still hopes to resurrect his international career.[LNB]"It would be a dream to pull on that England shirt again, and what player would ever turn that down?" he told Hotspur magazine.[LNB]"But there's only one place where that starts and that's here at Tottenham, and I need to play first and then well, so they're the two things that I always concentrate on.[LNB]"Do that, and the rest takes care of itself.[LNB]"I'm quite philosophical about whether the call will come.[LNB]"All you can do is play your football. You've got to make sure you play well and if you do then you give yourself a chance."[LNB]King has struggled with fitness concerns other than his knee this season but he believes he is mentally a much stronger player now.[LNB]"Of course, I'd love to represent my country and be part of the World Cup squad though I can't deny this season has been a difficult one for me - I've not been playing consistently and have had quite a few niggling injuries," he explained.[LNB]Speaking about his knee, King added: "Of course, the injury holds me back in one sense.[LNB]"But in another - through having to deal with the adversity of not being able to play every week, and not being able to train - I've had to invest heavily in the mental side of things. I believe that, in itself, has made me a more complete player.[LNB]"It's not easy. But over the last couple of years I've become mentally stronger than ever before.[LNB]"It's true, some days you do wonder if you've still 'got it', especially when you're not assessing yourself every day in training. It makes it tough, but it's something that I have learned to deal with.[LNB]"The lack of training during the week brings with it its own pressure. If I am rusty or tight, it's all going to come out in the game. But I love playing and for as long as I feel I can perform at the highest level then I will do it.[LNB]"I still feel I'm playing the best football of my career, and when I can build up a consistency of games and get into a rhythm then that's when I'm at my best."[LNB]King's immediate focus is on helping Tottenham secure fourth place in the Premier League, with games remaining against Bolton, Manchester City and Burnley.[LNB]While the clash with fellow Champions League hopefuls City is perceived to be the most crucial, King does not think Spurs can aim for anything less than nine points.[LNB]"I don't think we can afford to slip up in any game," he stated.[LNB]"There's no point putting in such hard work against the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea if we're then going to lose against Bolton Wanderers at home or Burnley away.[LNB]"It's about making sure that everyone's aware of the significance of these games.[LNB]"Every match is going to be important. The Manchester City clash is obviously the one most people are looking at, because it's a chance to take points away from, in theory, our closest rival. But City will be thinking the exact same thing."
