• Premier League

King may retire at end of 'biggest' season

ESPN staff
September 28, 2011
Ledley King's career has been blighted by a knee complaint © PA Photos
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Tottenham Hotspur defender Ledley King has suggested that he will hang up his boots if he fails to earn a contract at White Hart Lane next season.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp has told King, who has been dogged with knee problems throughout his career, that he needs to play 20 games this season to justify an extension to his present deal, which expires in summer 2012.

King has already started three Premier League games in the current campaign, putting him on course to hit the target, but he is not getting carried away, having suffered so many injury setbacks already in his career.

"This is my biggest season at Spurs yet," said King. "It is the first time I have been in a situation like this - when my contract is up. So it is a big season. I have to prove I am still worth it. I can't see myself pulling on a shirt for anybody else at this stage of my career - although a player can never say never.

"At the end of the day, I just want to stay fit and if I can play, let's see what position that puts me in at the end of the season. It is down to me to play the games. If I don't play enough games, it is a difficult position.

"We will see what the situation is when all is said and done. If I get to 20 [games], I am not going to stop! I will keep playing as many as I can. At the moment I am just trying to bed in, get a bit of fitness and hopefully not get any niggles. If I can do that, I can get stronger and keep playing."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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