Ledley King's future has been called into doubt after Tottenham manager Juande Ramos revealed he was unsure if the defender would be at the club next season.

The Spurs captain has been troubled by a persistent knee injury which has seen him play in only four Premier League games this season.

He was also sidelined for much of the 2006-07 campaign through injury.

King has taken the rest of this season off to recover in a bid to be ready for pre-season training but Ramos may run out of patience before then.

The Spaniard indicated today that the 27-year-old could be allowed to leave in the summer.

When asked at a club press conference if King would remain as the club captain, Ramos said: "We will have to wait and see next season and see the diagnosis from the doctors.

"If he is here next season, we don't know what the squad is going to be like."

King has established a reputation as one of the Premier League's top central defenders and was included in Fabio Capello's first England squad.

But, given his poor fitness record over the past two years, it is questionable as to how much interest there would be from rival clubs should Spurs make him available.

Earlier this month, King dismissed suggestions he may have to retire because of the injury.

He said: "It's just talk. I'm not retiring, let's put it that way. I honestly believe that when I do finally get it all right there won't be any more problems in the future."

In the same magazine interview, the former Spurs trainee revealed that he had been playing with an injured knee "for a few seasons". But King was optimistic about making a full recovery by August.