Spurs will have to finish the season without their captain and central defensive lynch-pin, Ledley King. The injury he received while defending a late attack in added time against Everton on Saturday has been confirmed by the club medical staff as a stress fracture to the fourth metatarsal of his left foot.Early indications are that his recovery will take three to four weeks.
Comment:
This would appear to be rather over optimistic appraisal of his recovery time as his England colleagues, including David Beckham, Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen, have all taken longer than that to make a full recovery. In fact, Michael Owen has only returned to training last week following a similar injury received when Paul Robinson dived at his feet in Spurs' win over Newcastle at White Hart Lane on New Year's Eve.
Owen is hoping to play again before the end of the season to prove his fitness for the World Cup in Germany. Such a time scale for King's return to fitness would put him out of the World Cup and have him fit again for the start of next season. King is also troubled by a groin strain which requires surgery and this may also be attended during the summer.
Last season Spurs had to complete the season without goalkeeper Paul Robinson who was injured in the penultimate home game against Aston Villa. His deputy Radek Cerny played very well in Robinson's absence and hopefully Anthony Gardner and Michael Dawson can rise to the occasion for these vital four games which will determine Spurs season.
King's injury is a blow to Spurs who face Manchester United today and Arsenal next Saturday as they try to hold onto the fourth Champions League place. King is vital to Spurs defence, leading by example and having the speed and skill to cover for his team mates. It willalso be a huge blow tohim,if he were to lose out on the World Cup. He has grown in stature throughout the season and was guaranteed a place in the squad as cover in defence and possibly aa a defensive central midfield player.
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