• Premier League

King facing Spurs axe unless he proves fitness

ESPN staff
September 10, 2011
Ledley King's career has been blighted by injury © PA Photos
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Harry Redknapp has told injury-plagued defender Ledley King that if he does not play at least 20 games this season then his Tottenham career could be over.

King has been dogged by chronic knee problems throughout his career, with the England international making only nine appearances for Spurs last season as a consequence.

In an attempt to finally see the back of his on-going knee troubles, the 30-year-old missed the whole of pre-season to undergo surgery in July and Redknapp confirmed on Friday the centre-back would be among the travelling squad for Spurs' Premier League clash with Wolves at Molineux.

King's former central defensive partner Jonathan Woodgate was let go by the club this summer after failing to overcome a series of injuries that stopped him from tying down a place in the first-team. And despite the fact King has spent his entire career at White Hart Lane, Redknapp has warned him a new contract will not be given unless he features far more regularly.

"'Ledley's a difficult one," said Redknapp. "He has to play this year. I can't go to the chairman and say: 'Give Ledley a contract,' if he has only played two games because he isn't going to do that.

"This is Ledley's big year, he's got to play 20 games or so, really. Ledley needs to put some games in this year to get another contract."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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