It has emerged that a decision by Steve McClaren is at the centre of the fall-out between England coach Fabio Capello and Spurs manager Harry Redknapp.

McClaren's insistence on playing Ledley King - despite telling Tottenham he would not risk the player - in two internationals while he was in charge of the national team in 2007 planted the seeds of mistrust between club and country that have surfaced again this week.

King, who was suffering from the same chronic knee injury, which has since deteriorated, played against Brazil and Estonia over the course of six days two years ago, which led to him breaking down and left Spurs without one of their best players for the next six months.

Tottenham believe McClaren's England regime, who put King into the team to replace the injured Owen Hargreaves in the holding midfield role, did not understand the uniqueness of the defender's injury and put him under unnecessary strain.

Redknapp blasted Capello's decision to call up the defender because he feared a repeat of the scenario that backfired on the club two years ago. The fact that the Football Association issued a statement on Monday night saying they would not put the player at risk, a virtual repeat of what had been said to the club when McClaren was in charge, merely added to the "nervous" feeling of deja vu at White Hart Lane.

Tottenham believe Redknapp had every right to voice his concerns, particularly as King has been the linchpin of Tottenham's recovery from a disastrous start to the season which saw them dragged into the relegation zone.

Redknapp's efforts to stop England playing King, he described the call-up as “mad”, have now led to claims that Capello sees the Spurs boss as a trouble maker with a personal agenda against his regime.

Capello insists that he has not ruled out calling up King again if he feels the player can help England qualify for the next World Cup finals. The storm has left the player feeling upset and unsure about his future at international level.

He intends to speak to Tottenham, and his advisors, before deciding whether to announce his retirement from international football so he can prolong his club career.