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King pulls out of England squad | King pulls out of England squad |
(10 minutes later) | |
Defender Ledley King has withdrawn from the England squad to face Croatia in the Euro 2008 qualifier in Zagreb. | Defender Ledley King has withdrawn from the England squad to face Croatia in the Euro 2008 qualifier in Zagreb. |
The Tottenham skipper, 25, has pulled out of Wednesday's match as a precaution to protect a knee injury. | The Tottenham skipper, 25, has pulled out of Wednesday's match as a precaution to protect a knee injury. |
King had surgery on a long-standing problem over the summer while he was recovering from a broken foot, however the knee keeps flaring up after games. | King had surgery on a long-standing problem over the summer while he was recovering from a broken foot, however the knee keeps flaring up after games. |
His absence should be off-set by the return of Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand following a back spasm. | His absence should be off-set by the return of Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand following a back spasm. |
Ferdinand missed Saturday's 0-0 draw with Macedonia and was replaced in the centre of defence by King, who took the plaudits in a disappointing performance. | Ferdinand missed Saturday's 0-0 draw with Macedonia and was replaced in the centre of defence by King, who took the plaudits in a disappointing performance. |
Coach Steve McClaren said: "Rio has trained and it's good to have him back with us. | Coach Steve McClaren said: "Rio has trained and it's good to have him back with us. |
"He will be travelling with the squad and we expect him to train in Croatia, providing there's no reaction." | "He will be travelling with the squad and we expect him to train in Croatia, providing there's no reaction." |
Despite Ferdinand's expected return, King was tipped to keep his starting place, either in a back three or in the holding role in midfield. | |
But his withdrawal was confirmed after consultation between McClaren and his medical staff. | |
The Football Association's director of communications Adrian Bevington said: "While Ledley King didn't suffer any reaction overnight to his knee, it has become clear that Ledley is not entirely comfortable. | The Football Association's director of communications Adrian Bevington said: "While Ledley King didn't suffer any reaction overnight to his knee, it has become clear that Ledley is not entirely comfortable. |
"Therefore, as a precaution the England medical staff and Steve McClaren felt it was in Ledley's best interests not to fly and so he is out of the game." | "Therefore, as a precaution the England medical staff and Steve McClaren felt it was in Ledley's best interests not to fly and so he is out of the game." |
King played his first match of the season for Spurs in the defeat at Manchester United on 9 September and since then has completed four matches for the club. | King played his first match of the season for Spurs in the defeat at Manchester United on 9 September and since then has completed four matches for the club. |
However, the nagging knee problem means he generally sits out training two days after matches. | |
And he was forced to miss the Uefa Cup second-leg victory against Sparta Prague as he had not recovered sufficiently from the previous weekend's exertions at Liverpool. |