Source: Daily_Mail
King of middle England? Ledley's in the frame for holding role
Fabio Capello has identified Ledley King as a possible solution to his midfield problem and is now considering the Tottenham captain in the holding role for thissummer's World Cup.[LNB]It would represent a major gamble for the England manager, given how little football the 29-year-old centre half has played in midfield. [LNB]But with Capello increasingly concerned that Gareth Barry's ankle ligament damage will rule him out of the tournament, King is seen as one solution to the problem.[LNB]King has not yet joined his international colleagues for training at England's high-altitude base in Austria, Capello preferring to let him rest after a busy end to the season with Tottenham.[LNB] Holding out for a hero: King could step forward for England if Barry fails to recover in time[LNB]But the Italian is delighted with King's fitness. He is confident the chronic knee condition which has so often forced him to miss matches will not prevent King from playing a major role in South Africa, be it in midfield or the back four. [LNB]Capello plans to look at King in midfield during training later this week while also assessing the claims of James Milner, Tom Huddlestone, Michael Carrick and Scott Parker before England meet Mexico in a friendly at Wembley on Monday. [LNB]Moving Steven Gerrard into a more defensive position is another option, although Capello would do that reluctantly as it would come at the expense of the Liverpoolcaptain's attacking threat.[LNB]The fact that the England manager is even thinking about King demonstrates just howmuch of a problem the injury to Barry has created. Not least because there is no obvious replacement.[LNB] Fulcrum: Gareth Barry (left) has shown his worth on the international stage[LNB]Hugely talented, King does have the ability to step into midfield if Barry fails in his race against time. [LNB]Indeed, George Graham saw it as the player's natural position when he was Tottenham manager. King scored a Premier League goal 10.2 seconds after kick-off against Bradford from that position back in 2000.[LNB]Sven Goran Eriksson selected him in midfield for two games in the autumn of 2005.[LNB]In a World Cup qualifier against Poland he was excellent, protecting the back four impressively while operating as the more defensive central midfield partner to Frank Lampard. [LNB]A month later, however, it was a rather different story, even if the friendly against Argentina in Geneva did bring a fine victory for England. [LNB]Asked to patrol the space so often occupied by Juan Roman Riquelme at the peak of his powers and the tenacious Carlos Tevez, King looked lost for the 58 minutes he was on the field.[LNB]Sol Campbell said it was a role only for those who play in the position every week and on that occasion the Arsenal defender appeared to be right. [LNB]In a difficult opening 45 minutes, Eriksson was alarmed by how easily his defence was breached a lack of positional sense too often leaving King desperately chasingback in pursuit of Riquelme. [LNB] Hard day's work: Ledley King (right) was tormented by Juan Roman Riquelme (centre)[LNB]Preparation will be the key and while Capello is nothing if not meticulous, King's inability to train regularly could yet prove a problem. It really does depend on Barry, who continues his rehabilitation at home with Manchester City while spending his nights sleeping in an oxygen tent that will not only accelerate the healing process but also prepare him for the high ground of South Africa. [LNB]Until Barry informed the England management at the last minute that his scheduled examination by a specialist had been brought forward by five days to May 24, Capello was set on taking a chance with Owen Hargreaves. This was even though the Manchester United midfielder had played little more than one minute of competitive football in a 19-month spell ruined by a knee condition similar to King's. [LNB]But Barry, for so long first choice in the holding role during Capello's tenure, was given the wild-card entry into the 30-man provisional squad and a new deadline has nowbeen set.[LNB]If the specialist informs the England medical staff that Barry will be ready two weeks after June 1 a deadline that would take him beyond the opening game against the USA on June 12 the City midfielder will earn selection in Capello's final 23.[LNB]If there is even the slightest doubt, however, he will be left behind. Last night the England camp remained less than optimistic. [LNB]They are not that optimistic about finding a decent playing surface when they arrive at Wembley on Monday, either, although there are no plans to ask the FA to move the game.[LNB]Capello is not happy with the state of the Wembley pitch but he accepts the difficulties and is prepared to make do. [LNB]It could make life interesting for England's goalkeepers as they challenge for the starting role.[LNB] Martin Keown on Fabio Capello's game of three centre halves - and why Michael Dawson misses the cutWORLD CUP 2010: Austria's hills are alive with the sound of England's hopefuls [LNB]
