Capello awards King shock call-up

[MrsB]

BBC SPORT, 2009/03/22 20:22:16 GMT

Tottenham centre-back Ledley King has been handed a shock England call-up.

King's chronic knee problem usually prevents him playing more than one game in a week and also limits his training.

Everton left-back Leighton Baines was another surprise name in coach Fabio Capello's squad, with Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster also drafted in.

Capello's England side face Slovakia on Saturday in a friendly at Wembley, before they play Ukraine in a World Cup qualifier on 1 April.

Capello does not pick players who are not club regulars, but Foster's Carling Cup final display in United's win over Spurs earned him a spot in the squad.

The 28-year-old King also played in that game at Wembley, while the defender's last England appearance was in June 2007.

King suffers from a debilitating problem in his right knee that prevents him from doing any training sessions with his Spurs team-mates during the week.

The only contact he has with them is on the day before a game when King watches training to learn the moves he will be part of on match day.

King's Spurs team-mate Aaron Lennon, who won the last of his nine caps against Andorra two years ago, is included, reflecting his recent fine form for Tottenham.

Lennon will compete with Shaun Wright-Phillips and David Beckham for the position on the right of midfield.

But Aston Villa duo Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor miss out, neither of whom keep their places following last month's friendly defeat to Spain in Seville.

Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard back for the first time since the qualifying win in Belarus last October, while Rio Ferdinand is fit after missing the Seville reverse with a stomach bug.

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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).

[Joe King]

Very good defender however how will Capello see him if he doesn't train and mainly does gym work?

[Leyton388]

Leighton Baines gets a call up. Me birds chuffed to bits as he is her cousin. I think he is **** though.

[Shaggy]

What a **** squad.

[Ben_Itez]

Only one right back?

On paper it doesnt look too **** hot does it? England have a fairly decent first XI but the squad certainly looks a little thin. Who's missing through injury? Walcott, Joe Cole that's about it.

I think Richards should be in as the second RB.

[Dim Tim]

Long live the King!

Not sure I'm happy with this though... Don't want him to wear himself out for us, we seem to win every game he plays.

That includes beating the blue-scum on Saturday. Whoop!

[zimbo]

Well that was a stunningly unpredictable outcome.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/7960392.stm

King leaves England training camp

Ledley King has left England's training camp and will not feature in Saturday's friendly against Slovakia or the World Cup qualifier with Ukraine on 1 April.

The Tottenham defender was called up despite a chronic knee injury that restricts his ability to train.

The Football Association confirmed he had been assessed by England's medics.

An FA statement said: "Both parties agreed the best interests of the player are served by continuing his individual training programme at the club."

After a near two-year absence from international football King, 28, joined up with the England squad on Monday.

The Spurs club captain arrived with Fabio Capello's party at Arsenal's London Colney training facility on Tuesday but did not train and returned to the England hotel and then to his club.

The FA statement added: "Ledley King has returned to Spurs Lodge to continue his rehabilitation over the course of the international break, following discussions and assessments overnight by the medical staff of both the club and the England national team."

King had impressed Capello with his solid performances in the Spurs defence.

But Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp expressed concern about the call-up, because if King played against Ukraine he could not be considered for club duty against Blackburn three days later.

The FA defended the decision to bring King into the squad: "The England management will take no risks," a spokesman said.

"They fully understand Ledley's injury situation but they want to have a close look at him."

Two other players missed England training with Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips sitting out with a sore back and Portsmouth striker Peter Crouch absent with a tight calf, although neither complaint was considered serious.

Capello has already pledged to use his maximum six substitutes against Slovakia as he attempts to keep his players as fresh as possible for the match against Ukraine.

"The Ukraine game is very important to us," said the Italian. "Their league only started at the beginning of March so their players will be very fresh.

"Ours are a little bit tired but I think the fans will help us this time. We will have 12 players on the pitch."

It's a bit stupid admitting this now as well. He'd have been better just getting Peter Crouch to wear a long raincoat and sneaking little Wright-Phillips inside.

[Chrono]

I can't stand Capello.

[Kenneth]

England get tough on injuries and get it wrong, again. It was Gerrard last time, both were indeed injured and both had wasted journies. Shambles.

[Joe King]

England get tough on injuries and get it wrong, again. It was Gerrard last time, both were indeed injured and both had wasted journies. Shambles.

Not much of a journey for King seen as England are training in Arsenal's training facility.

[Shaggy]

Well that didn't last long!

[Craig_H]

Poor squad but it'll be enough to beat Ukraine.

[red g]

Well that didn't last long!

just cant underrstand why spurs were not consulted in his call up? everyone knows he only meets his teammates on every friday and doesnt even train with the players

[dww]

I do wonder how much the whole call up was just Capello looking for confirmation of the whole farcical state of King's health from his own people. It was pretty clear that if even 50% of what is said about his fitness is true that he could never play at a world cup. i think it also shows how desperate Capello is to find a trusted fourth centreback after Ferdinand, Terry and Upson (who is obviously now injured).

[Rich]

I do wonder how much the whole call up was just Capello looking for confirmation of the whole farcical state of King's health from his own people. It was pretty clear that if even 50% of what is said about his fitness is true that he could never play at a world cup. i think it also shows how desperate Capello is to find a trusted fourth centreback after Ferdinand, Terry and Upson (who is obviously now injured).

Carragher?