Source: Telegraph
Ledley King: I want to play in World Cup for England
The Tottenham captain earned a surprise call-up for England's friendly against Slovakia and the World Cup qualifier against Ukraine, only to withdraw with his troublesome knee problem. [LNB]King's persistent injury troubles prevent him from training and limit the central defender to one game per week. But he has admitted that if he can get agreement from Spurs and juggle his commitments, he still wants to be involved with his country. [LNB] Related ArticlesRef apologises to RedknappBastos tipped for Spurs moveAlmunia: England's No 1Owen still has England chanceLedley King does have England future, says Tottenham manager Harry RedknappEngland coach Fabio Capello defends Ledley King selectionHarry Redknapp, his manager at White Hart Lane, originally voiced concern over King's call-up, but later insisted he would love to see the player at the World Cup and that he would even "drive Ledley to South Africa myself". [LNB]There are no cures for King's knee problems, so it is a case of managing the injury and the player admitted that he has had to come to terms with it and has developed a new psychological approach to his game. [LNB]"It's a difficult situation," said King, speaking in the May edition of Hotspur magazine. "My priority first and foremost is always Spurs, but of course every player wants to represent his country at the highest level and, with the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign going so well, there is a real opportunity to do something great on the international stage again. [LNB]"Every player wants to play as much as possible, but I've long accepted the fact that it is not a privilege I have, and if some kind of agreement cannot be reached between commitments, then it will obviously be very difficult to carry on representing my country. That's not an easy decision to make, but it's a situation that needs to be dealt with sensibly."[LNB]King, set to face West Bromwich Albion at White Hart Lane on Saturday, admitted that he had missed several aspects of training with his team-mates. [LNB]He added: "If I can't train with the other guys I am missing out on a lot, I realise that – fitness primarily, but also some of the camaraderie that only comes with time on the training pitch. But I make up for it in other areas by preparing and constantly assessing my game mentally, much more than I ever used to. [LNB]"My physical game-plan over the past couple of years has become more limited, so I'm working on aspects that are within my control. I'll still go into challenges wholeheartedly, as every good footballer should, but pushing forward or trying elaborate things that might overdo it on the knee just aren't in the script anymore, I'm afraid."[LNB]King has allayed any suggestions that he could retire in the summer. He added: "I was talking to some of the other older lads at Tottenham recently, and it's frightening to think that your career could be coming to a close. [LNB]"It's obviously something I've had more cause to contemplate with the injury, but it has made me even more determined to continue playing, because when you have a glimpse of something coming to an end you will do whatever you can in your power to fend off that eventuality. [LNB]"That's how I am focused for the time being, and it's bringing out a new psychological element in my game that I feel makes me a better player. It's difficult to describe, but on a personal and club level there is a new wave of confidence and assuredness." [LNB]
