Tottenham captain Ledley King could be out for the rest of the season, manager Harry Redknapp revealed today as the club's injury crisis deepened.
Redknapp told Sky Sports News that centre-half King needs a second operation on a groin injury that has seen him sidelined since October, and is now likely to be ruled out of the remainder of Spurs season.
The King setback could not have come at a worse time for Spurs, who are preparing to take on mighty Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals next week. William Gallas has suffered a knee injury that may keep him out of Tuesday's trip to the Bernabeu while Younes Kaboul and Jonathan Woodgate are also fitness doubts.
We have lost Ledley King, it looks like he will have to have an operation that will finish his season.
Harry Redknapp, Tottenham Hotspur manager
Redknapp said he is now down to only two fit central defenders - England international Michael Dawson and Sebastien Bassong. "We started the year with six central defenders here. Now we have two," Redknapp told Sky Sports News. "We have lost Ledley King, it looks like he will have to have an operation that will finish his season.
"Jonathan Woodgate was making good progress but got a calf injury in a friendly against Barnet and Younes Kaboul is still out with a thigh strain. William Gallas has been for a scan on his knee today. He struggled at the weekend and we are now down to having just Michael Dawson and Sebastien Bassong."