King rejects retirement talk
11 Apr 2008 - 14:09:37
Tottenham Hotspur captain Ledley King has rubbished claims that his career is being threatened by long-running knee problem.
The England defender has made just ten appearances this year and confirmed earlier in the month that he would sit out the remainder of the campaign in a bid to be fit for the start of the new season.
King's persistent knee problems during the past 18 months have led to rumours that his career is under threat, but the 27-year-old is confident of returning to full-fitness after his latest bout of rest.
"I've read a lot of stories about my situation over the last few weeks but I honestly believe that when I do finally get it right there won't be any more problems in the future," he revealed.
"It's just talk. I've heard it but I have no idea where it came from.
"It's never nice to read stuff like that about yourself but I don't feel like I have to prove anything to anyone.
"All I want to do is play football. I'm not retiring, let's put it that way."
Meanwhile, King has admitted the stop-start nature of the problem has proved to be frustrating.
"As a player when you've been out for six months, what you really need are matches in order to get back to full fitness and consistency, so it's been difficult playing one game and then missing out in the next three," he continued.
"I'm not sure exactly when I'll be back playing twice a week again.
"Now my main aim is to prepare myself for next season and do everything possible to ensure that I don't have any problems next year."