Ledley King has a positive message for national coach

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The Londoner, 26, is relieved to be playing again after a series of different injuries — culminating in a foot problem which kept him out for nearly four months — had put a question mark over his long-term future. McClaren's faith has helped keep the stylish defender believing he has a key role to play at club and England level.

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"Steve McClaren's been good throughout the injury," said King. "He's been checking on how I was, sending me text messages. It's been good to know the manager's keeping an eye on you. You don't feel so left out, and that's very nice.

"I've had my fair share of injuries and I'm better at dealing with it now. I stayed strong and focused. But sometimes a text from a certain person can make the world of difference."

King's injuries over the past 13 months have included a broken metatarsal at Everton which kept him out of the World Cup; a knee injury which meant he missed the England game in Croatia last October and bone bruising which sidelined him from Boxing Day to April 12.

After playing only five games in 2007, he has been rewarded with a call-up to the England B squad for the game against Albania at Turf Moor on May 25, but refused to push his claims for instant elevation for the June internationals against Brazil and Estonia.

"I wanted to be playing again and get as many games under my belt as I could," he said. "I'm still not 100 per cent but I'm getting it back. All I want is to finish the season on a high and let England take care of itself."

By avoiding defeat at home to Manchester City today, Spurs would clinch another UEFA Cup campaign. They sold Michael Carrick to Manchester United a year ago after missing out on a Champions League place but chairman Daniel Levy has moved to allay fans' fears that much-coveted stars like Dimitar Berbatov and Aaron Lennon might depart this summer.

"I should like to again stress the policy and position of this club — we are building for the future, we are not a selling club," said Levy. "If, as we do, you have players on long contracts and the finances of the club are strong, you have no need to sell."