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Ledley King is unlikely to line up in the Tottenham defence again before Christmas after suffering yet another setback in his ongoing struggle with knee problems.
King, who has made only eight appearances for Spurs this season due to knee and hamstring injuries, jarred his knee during a practice match against Grays Athletic on Tuesday. He has been ruled out of tomorrow's home game against Wolves and is almost certain to miss next Wednesday's clash with fellow top-four contenders Manchester City at White Hart Lane.
Spurs manager Harry Redknapp said: "Ledley injured his knee again and we are letting it settle down. He has no chance for tomorrow and he is very doubtful for midweek.
"We don't know how long it will keep him out. It was just one of those things. He went to block a shot and the ball hit him in the face, and when he landed he jarred his knee."
Reports last weekend suggested that 29-year-old King would be offered a new £70,000-a-week contract by Spurs, despite his knee trouble, which prevents him from training during the week. His existing deal expires at the end of the season but there is a clause which give Spurs the option of extending it by one year.
At yesterday's annual meeting, chairman Daniel Levy was asked by one supporter whether the club planned to offer their club captain a new deal, but Levy sidestepped the question.
He said: "Ledley has been a very loyal servant to the club but it would be very unfair of me to comment on an individual player's contract decisions.
"I am not prepared to comment. It is something Harry Redknapp and I will discuss at the appropriate time."
Levy also said yesterday he did not envisage any "net spending" during the January transfer window, suggesting Spurs will have to sell before they can buy.
But with Michael Dawson and Sebastien Bassong the only fit senior central defenders available for selection, Redknapp's options in that position are thin on the ground.
Jonathan Woodgate is also sidelined and has not trained this week, after Redknapp admitted that the club were at a loss to explain the England international's recurrent groin problems.
Woodgate underwent two operations in the summer but Redknapp said: "We're still trying to find out exactly what the problem is."
Luka Modric provided better news for Spurs, however, after coming through 70 minutes of the game against Grays. The Croatian playmaker, who has been out of action since late August with a fractured fibula, could even be included on the bench tomorrow.
Redknapp is also hopeful that midfielder Wilson Palacios will recover from the rib injury he suffered in the 2-2 draw at Everton but full-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto is also doubtful with a groin injury.
Jermain Defoe missed a stoppage-time penalty that would have given Spurs all three points at Goodison Park, but assistant manager Kevin Bond insisted the club's top scorer would bounce back quickly from his disappointment on Merseyside.
"Jermain has a terrific goalscoring record, he has scored some goals that maybe he should never have scored, and he's just got to move on," said Bond. "I'm sure he'll do that.
"You have to be brave to step up and take a penalty at that stage. Players are going to miss them occasionally. It happens to the best and you just can't worry about it."
Reader views (9)
Glennda - Bassong & Dawson would not be considered by any of the top four clubs. When Newcastle were open to offers for Bassong, not one of the top four made a bid. You hit the nail on the head with Dawson, nobody doubts his commitment, but a lack of Premiership technique lets him down badly. To remind you... Chelsea have Terry, Carvalho, Alex & Ivanovic - Man U have Vidic, Ferdinand, Brown & Evans - Arsenal have Gallas & Vermaellen - Liverpool have Carragher, Agger, Skertl. All of these players are far superior to Dawson & Bassong. When fit King & Woodgate are quality, but as showed against Arsenal recently, Ledley's days are numbered, unfortunately.
- Tommie Timmersen, Micholson Way, 11/12/2009 15:17
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Kevin - If you have any understanding of football, have a look at Dawson's display against Everton. He rarely stays on his feet, a prerequisite for a top class defender. His distribution is awful, either lumping the ball skywards or hoofing it forward & giving possession back to the opposition. He is one of the few tall English centre backs in the premiership not to have represented England at full level, ever asked yourself why? Hopefully, we wont sign the vastly overrated ex-Arsenal defender Upson, who was made to look reasonable playing alongside the excellent James Collins last season. Its no surprise to me that since he left West Ham have suffered & Villa have improved. As for me being a gooner, I dont think so do you?
- Roobie Hootspurs, South London, 11/12/2009 15:06
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Nickspurs, London.
Are you mad ? The fact that he may be a legend (which is debatable) is irrelevant, but you've hit the nail right on the head. "When fit", that's entirely the point - he's not. Apart from your Tottenham contemporaries I can't imagine there would be too many other football supporters who would agree with your assessment that he is the best defender in the Country. I certainly wouldn't.
Danny Blanchflower, Dave Mackay, Jimmy Greaves, John White, Cliff Jones, even Steve Perryman - now they're proper Spurs' legends who played virtually every match available and, of course, they won things for your Club. Using your "loyalty" logic, these chaps should still be under contract.
You need to get a little more overall perspective. Ledley King is NOT playing or, indeed, training - he should NOT be given a further contract. Unless, of course, your beloved Spurs are applying for UK charity status.
- Charlie, Nr. Crackpot, North Yorkshire, 11/12/2009 13:26
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I agree with Kevin.
Both Dawson and the up and coming Bassong would walk into any of the premier clubs. I'm sure if Alex Fergy had these two in his squad there wouldn't be all this nonsense about Mercenary Cambell joining them and he wouldn't need to play Carrick there.
Give it up for Dawson at least he plays for the shirt 100% and he's learning more in every game.
- Glennda, Berkhamsted UK, 11/12/2009 13:10
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Ledley is a Spurs legend and when fit the best defender in the country. For his loyalty WE OWE him, where is your loyalty - he must be offered a contract, perhaps with a per game bonus rather than all in weekly wage. Rather that than continue to pay over rated sulkers like Pavyluchenko.
- Nickspurs, London, 11/12/2009 12:30
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£70k a week for a player who can't train or play ? Come on 'Arry boy enough's enough. Woodgate's another one. If Spurs are serious about a top 4 place they've got to have players putting in a full shift. Professional sport's a tough old game and there's no room for this sort of sentiment. One Carling Cup in the last 10 years, for a Club of Spurs' stature, is really not very good is it ?
- Charlie, Nr. Crackpot, North Yorkshire, 11/12/2009 11:41
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Totally agree, the club would be barmy to still spend £70,000 a week on him let alone a new contract. Perhaps Ledley has to admit to himself like Dean Ashton just has that he cannot keep damaging himself and retire. It is such a wrench and a real shame for the club but sentiment has to be put aside and instead invest in a quality centre back. We lack leadership badly and it showed in games such as Stoke at home and Everton away - games in which we threw away vital points.
- James, TOTTENHAM, 11/12/2009 10:53
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For anyone (typically an under cover Gooner) to say that Michael Dawson is a second rate defender is a joke.
Michael needs a partner who will look after the trap door with him and Upson will arrive in January to do just that.
- Kevin, London, 11/12/2009 10:32
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Ledley is Tottenham through & through, but in reality his career is over. As he cant train, he has become extremely injury prone. Gone are the days when a player, such as Paul McGrath, could motor through a game without training. To pay Ledley over £3.5 million a year to play in a handful of matches is nonsense. We must purchase a couple of top class centre backs to replace Ledley & his equally injury prone defender Woodgate, as Dawson & Bassong are second rate. Failing which we will continue missing out on a top four place.
- Roobie Hootspurs, Suff London, 11/12/2009 10:13
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