|
|
Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp backs Ledley King for England World Cup squad
Spurs skipper tipped for starring role in South Africa
8 Feb 2010 00:31:00
By Neil Jones
Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp has tipped Ledley King for England's World Cup squad, despite his captain's well-documented injury problems.
Redknapp believes the 29-year-old's current form makes him a perfect choice for Fabio Capello's 23-man squad for South Africa, as cover for first-choice defensive duo John Terry and Rio Ferdinand.
"You'd take him to the World Cup all day long - he's that good," Redknapp told BBC Sport.
King won the last of his 19 England caps in June 2007, with chronic knee troubles preventing him from featuring under Capello.
Indeed, when the Italian did call upon King - in March 2009 - Redknapp responded angrily, claiming his skipper could not play twice in a week. King later withdrew from the squad, having been seen by the England medical team.
But Redknapp has insisted that there is no rift between himself and Capello, and stated his belief that King could prove to be an important part of England's plans this summer.
"He's special - that's why, when he's fit, I play him," he said.
"He's desperate to play for England. If you lose [John] Terry or Rio [Ferdinand], you know he's going to come in and do a job for you.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp has tipped Ledley King for England's World Cup squad, despite his captain's well-documented injury problems.
|
Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
Redknapp believes the 29-year-old's current form makes him a perfect choice for Fabio Capello's 23-man squad for South Africa, as cover for first-choice defensive duo John Terry and Rio Ferdinand.
"You'd take him to the World Cup all day long - he's that good," Redknapp told BBC Sport.
King won the last of his 19 England caps in June 2007, with chronic knee troubles preventing him from featuring under Capello.
Indeed, when the Italian did call upon King - in March 2009 - Redknapp responded angrily, claiming his skipper could not play twice in a week. King later withdrew from the squad, having been seen by the England medical team.
But Redknapp has insisted that there is no rift between himself and Capello, and stated his belief that King could prove to be an important part of England's plans this summer.
"He's special - that's why, when he's fit, I play him," he said.
"He's desperate to play for England. If you lose [John] Terry or Rio [Ferdinand], you know he's going to come in and do a job for you.
"If you are in the semi-final and you have a suspension, you can bring him in."
Capello's defensive options appear limited, with Ferdinand featuring only nine times for Manchester United this year, and back-ups such as Joleon Lescott and Jonathan Woodgate - King's usual defensive partner at Spurs - also sidelined through injury.
And with Terry's recent off-the-pitch problems having resulted in him losing the captaincy of his country, King could yet find himself recalled to the squad.
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
|
Inside Goal.Com
-
Welbeck convinces Hodgson he is the man to lead the line
England beat Norway 1-0 at Wembley, with the Manchester United man hitting an impressive winner to stake his claim for a starting spot at Euro 2012
-
In Pictures: The best and worst kits at Euro 2012
The European Championship is just around the corner and Goal.com distinguishes between the trendy and the passe at the prestigious tournament
-
The five players Rodgers could sign to kick-start revolution
The new Reds boss was unveiled to the press on Friday and must immediately begin work on revitalising a thin squad with some additions in the transfer market
-
Managerial merry-go-round keeps spinning as Lambert takes Villa job
The Scot officially left Norwich City on Saturday to become the second new boss in June, following the appointment of Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool on Friday
-
Rodgers ushers in new Anfield era on his own terms
The Northern Irishman inevitably expressed his delight at landing the Reds job but evidenced plenty of the steely resolve which could see him become a success at Anfield
