Long live the King?

Reports today suggest that Ledley King will play some part in the game against Wolves.

The news comes off the back of the Daily Mail’s article that Harry Redknapp has issued an ultimatum to King, claiming that if he can’t play more than 20 games this season, he will be axed from the squad next year.

Now, I am a big fan of King. The ability to not train before a game, stepping into the defence and perform to highest standard for 90 minutes beggars belief.

Even Redknapp admitted the former Spurs captain is a ‘freak’, in the nicest way possible of course, in the fact that he can still play at top level without having to take part in training.

However, the lack of training is beginning to hinder 30-year-old elsewhere. King’s knee problems are well documented but it is the number of injuries being picked up that is starting to worry Redknapp.

A groin injury meant King missed a substantial chunk of last year and his season hasn’t started at all well, knee surgery hindering his pre-season and, subsequently, missing the first four games of the new campaign.

In that time, Hearts aside, the team have conceded eight goals on two games with the midfield not giving the defence the necessary cover with Dawson and Kaboul a yard off the pace, the ball was undoubtedly going to hit the back of the Spurs net more than once.

King returning to the back will help stabilise the leaky back four and his return will be an almighty lift for everyone associated with the club.

But what happens if he pulls up injured again? What happens if King is to miss the next three, four or even five months of the season due to injury again?

It is an all to familiar scenario which Spurs fans may have got used to seeing, but is painful to watch nonetheless.

Some fans feel the Spurs trainee should call it a day and many believe a coaching role with the club is next step for King. With him on the staff, a number of the defenders coming through the ranks will benefit from one-on-one training from the defender, none more so than Stephen Caulker who, I believe, has all the attributes to be the next King.

So Ledley, as much as you are loved at White Hart Lane, and believe me you are, retirement may, unfortunately, curtal your career which is a shame because their is nothing better then a fully-fit Ledley King in the starting XI.

Long live the King? One can only dream but unfortunately, some feel his playing days are all but over.