Fabio Capello’s decision to call up Tottenham defender Ledley King for the matches against Slovakia and Ukraine has been backed by the Football Association.
King, who hasn’t played for the national side for nearly 2 years, has a chronic knee injury which has kept his number of appearances for Spurs this season down to 22.
His club manager, Harry Redknapp, says if King plays for England then he won’t recover in time for Tottenham’s next game, a situation that he describes as “ridiculous.”
But the FA has defended King’s call up saying:
The England management will take no risks.
They fully understand Ledley’s injury situation but they want to have a close look at him.
Ledley has not previously been part of a Fabio Capello squad and we wanted to see him in the team environment.
He will be monitored during the week by the England and Tottenham medical staff before any decision on training or playing is made.
England take on Slovakia in a friendly on Saturday before hosting Ukraine in a World Cup qualifier on 1st April. The squad start training on Tuesday.
England squad:
Goalkeepers: David James (Portsmouth), Robert Green (West Ham United), Ben Foster (Manchester United)
Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Joleon Lescott (Everton), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), John Terry (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Portsmouth), Matthew Upson (West Ham United), Ledley King (Tottenham Hotspur).
Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Aston Villa), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough), David Beckham (AC Milan), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham Hotspur), Steven Gerrad (Liverpool).
Forwards: Carlton Cole (West Ham United), Peter Crouch (Portsmouth), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United).
