Ledley King set for further surgery

14 May 2012 15:47

Tottenham captain Ledley King will have another operation on his troublesome knee this week and then start negotiations with the club over prolonging his 14-year spell at White Hart Lane.

King's chronic knee injury has restricted him to 23 starts this season. Although that represents a significant improvement on the nine appearances he made last season, when he was also troubled by a groin injury, the Spurs club captain's future is still shrouded in doubt.

The 31-year-old, whose contract expires this summer, said: "Now the season is done I am sure there will be some talks. To be honest, I am not entirely sure what's going on (in terms of a contract offer). I have just wanted to concentrate on trying to play and get my knee right."

King came through the youth ranks at White Hart Lane and then went on to establish himself as a fans' favourite after becoming a regular and reliable pillar in the Spurs defence. Injury has prevented him from going on to fulfil his potential, however.

The Londoner barely trains with his team-mates due to a problem which causes his knee to balloon every time he plays. The problem is so severe that King has to apply huge ice packs to the area after exercise and he cannot even have a kick-about with his children.

After an encouraging start to the season, he ended up missing the club's last four games after taking a knock to his knee in training but he hopes to be back to his best after his operation

"I will have a little clean out, maybe in the next couple of days," King added.

"It's something I had earlier in the season. I missed the first few games when I had an operation and hopefully it's not something serious.

"It is something I will have done and hopefully it won't set me back too much. I hope I will be able to have a good season with the knee cleared out."

Source: PA