Source: Daily_Mail
Ledley King is world-class despite his dodgy knees, insists Spurs boss Harry Redknapp
TOTTENHAMJan 20, v LiverpoolJan 26, v FulhamJan 30, v BirminghamFeb 6, v Aston Vill aFeb 14, v BoltonFeb 21, v Wigan[LNB]Tottenham fans might recognise that sequence of matches as a spell in their season when they won twice, drew three times and lost at Anfield.[LNB] But the more observant among them might also recall, and this is the bit that should interest Fabio Capello, that Ledley King started in every single one of them. [LNB]Six games in a month and further proof that the Tottenham captain who so impressed in the 1-0 victory at Manchester City on Wednesday night should be at the World Cup.[LNB] Key role: Ledley King was a tower of strength in the Spurs defence against Bolton [LNB] 'If he plays on a Saturday we don't see him till the Friday,' says Redknapp. This is a situation that has long concerned Capello. He does not want players who are unable to take part in his meticulously planned training sessions in preparation for matches.[LNB] But he needs to make an exception for King in the belief that here is a guy so talented he can consistently perform as well as he did at Eastlands this week without training properly between games. [LNB]He is an extraordinary centre half, and on current form, the best in the country. In a brief conversation last week, Tottenham manager Redknapp said he was agonising over how best to use King in Tottenham's last three matches. Did he play him against Bolton on the Saturday and Burnley the following Sunday, or save him instead for City? [LNB]Redknapp knew City could well be the fourth-place Champions League decider but at the same time he recognised the need to beat Bolton first.[LNB] Imperious form: Tottenham defenders Ledley King (left) and Michael Dawson[LNB] He ignored the opinion he was given, opting to pick King for Bolton as Spurs won 1-0. King then responded well to treatment and delivered a stunning performance four days later at Eastlands. 'He's an amazing player,' said Redknapp yesterday.[LNB] 'World class when he's fit.' Rio Ferdinand is world class when he's fit and so too, of course, is John Terry, but Capello should be more concerned about the physical welfare of his captain than the Spurs captain.[LNB] King has made 19 Barclays Premier League appearances this season while Ferdinand, plagued for so long by back and groin problems, has made just 12, and his last was a few minutes at Sunderland.[LNB] Capello will be reluctant to take too many crocks to South Africa, and understandably so. But right now he plans to name Ferdinand and King in his provisional 30-man squad for the pretournament training camp in Austria.[LNB] If the Italian is nervous about running into trouble in the World Cup, he could pick more versatile players who could provide cover at both centre half and full back.[LNB] Regal defender: Ledley King has been outstanding for Spurs[LNB] It is why he might try one last time to talk Jamie Carragher out of international retirement, and why he is so concerned about Wes Brown's recent injury problems. Even then, King's involvement should not necessarily be determined by the fitness of others.[LNB] He is a wonderful player and someone, even with that chronic knee problem, who will be confident he can play a major role this summer. When he has been absent this season it has not always been because of his knees.[LNB] There have been other relatively minor problems. At one stage a hamstring injury.[LNB] Judging by that spell in January and February, England's fixtures in Group C should not be too daunting for 29-year-old King. The match with Algeria comes six days after the opening clash with the United States on June 12, while the game with Slovenia is five days after that, on June 23.[LNB] What happens afterwards depends on where England finish in Group C. If they win it, the route to the final on July 11 goes as follows: June 26, July 2 and July 6. If they finish group runners- up it all happens a day later: June 27, July 3 and July 7.[LNB] King is not a machine, and his knees respond differently to every match. But when it mattered most this week, when Tottenham really needed him, he was there. Just four days after Bolton but still fantastic.[LNB] With that in mind, Redknapp is convinced Capello should take him. 'Ledley's got to go to the World Cup,' he said. Indeed he does. [LNB] Spurs winners hit the jackpot: Harry Redknapp to land bumper bonus with new deals for Ledley King and Gareth BaleFulham given licence to field weakened team at Arsenal as Hodgson rests his starsGareth Barry's blow: World Cup agony as Manchester City star set to miss Finals, but Ledley King IS in squadIrons man Upson could snub big boys in favour of new three-year deal[LNB] [LNB]
