Capello wants King to be his World Cup ace - Exclusive

Fabio Capello is desperate to take Ledley King to the World Cup.

The England boss has made discreet checks with the Tottenham medical staff about King’s fitness and has made it clear that he wants him to be in his 23-man squad.

It would represent a huge gamble on Capello’s part as King has been plagued by injuries and still struggles to play two games in a week because of his persistent and career-threatening knee problems.

But Capello regards King as top class, and not just back-up for John Terry and Rio Ferdinand, but a genuine contender to be in his starting line-up, especially with long-running doubts about Ferdinand’s own fitness.

Capello has been hugely impressed by King’s recent displays for Tottenham, particularly against Arsenal, when he played despite his knee problems.

King is renowned within the game as being England’s best defender but has been denied an international career because of his catalogue of injury woes.

But Capello, who caused a club versus country row last year after calling up King, is a firm admirer and his enquiries to the Tottenham medical staff centred around his recovery times between games.

England’s first game with the USA is on June 12. They then face Algeria on June 18 and finally Slovenia on June 23. It leaves Capello anxious to discover whether King could recover in time between games.

Capello’s biggest concern is at centre-half. Terry and Ferdinand are certainties for the squad, with Matt Upson also set to be included, although his form is a concern. King’s White Hart Lane team-mate Michael Dawson is also now under consideration.

Dawson is the Fab choice for England  

But Capello’s preferred choice is King and his dilemma now centres around his fitness. If the signs are positive then the Tottenham defender will be in the squad, despite the England manager insisting he won’t take players if they are not fully fit.