Buzzin Football

Ledley King

Just when it looked as though Fabio Capello might actually be able to save English football, having snatched it out of the doldrums of boredom brought on by Steve McLaren and Sven Goran Eriksson before him, the Italian has thrown us a banana skin of a selection choice for this weekends International friendly against Slovakia.

Some years ago when the Spurs centre back Ledley King first appeared in the England squad it looked as though he was already a prime candidate for the job. A youngster with maturity beyond his years who could read the game as good as any-his club and international future looked secure.

Then came the injuries that have plagued his football career and now we are told that the debilitating knee injury that he has, stops him from joining the normal training sessions with his club and that he is only able to play one game a week.  So why has Capello chosen to resurrect King’s international career?

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp is furious with the selection, if King plays in the England game he will is unlikely to feature for Spurs in their next game against Blackburn.

The latest Premier League news is that King has been assessed by the England medical staff along with representatives from Tottenham and the player has been sent back to his club to continue his normal one man training programme.  The player has been told he will not feature in either Saturdays game or the World Cup qualifier on April 1st against Ukraine.

Capello has been impressed with Ledley King’s recent performances in the centre of the Spurs defence as many have been, but surely he knew of the circumstances surrounding the players injury and training problems.

What next, a call up for Michael Owen?