Could final be Ledley's last game for Spurs?

[bigturnip]

I hope this isn't true:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/li...tml?in_article_id=517663&in_page_id=1779&ct=5

Ledley King fears tomorrow's Carling Cup Final against Chelsea could be his last game for Tottenham. The Spurs defender has a degenerative knee condition and has been warned that he may not be able to pursue his playing career beyond the club's first final since 2002.

King was outstanding in the Carling Cup semifinal against Arsenal, but he has been unable to play for the club since that 5-1 victory in January.

He has missed Tottenham's last six matches and has been wrapped in cotton wool in order to face a Chelsea side likely to be led out by John Terry.

Terry and Frank Lampard, who were on the bench for Chelsea's Champions League draw with Olympiacos in Athens on Tuesday, are expected to start despite manager Avram Grant's insistence that he would not select his team until today.

One man who is sweating on his place is left back Ashley Cole.
Although King is reluctant to admit that his career could be over, Tottenham sources fear the worst after tomorrow's final.

King's knees are now 'bone on bone' and he has been told there is very little that can be done to improve the situation.
He also has a hip condition that is causing him problems. The defender, 27, is one of the most popular players at Tottenham, but there are growing fears that this could turn out to be King's farewell appearance.

It was widely assumed that Jonathan Woodgate had been signed to play alongside King in the centre of defence, but manager Juande Ramos brought him in as King's replacement.

Spurs have told King, who will captain Spurs at Wembley, that they will stand by him but there is clearly a decision to be made in the coming months.

Terry gets the nod for Chelsea despite the excellent recent form of Brazil defender Alex, who has played alongside Ricardo Carvalho in the majority of matches since the England defender broke a metatarsal in December.

But manager Grant admitted yesterday that Cole's recent problems had caused him some concern and Wayne Bridge is expected to start ahead of his England colleague.

Bridge certainly feels he is the man in form, so much so that he is even prepared to hand in a transfer request if he does not play.

On Cole, Grant all but admitted that he had left the player out because of the upheavals in his private life.

He said: 'I will not talk about Sunday, but I cannot say that in his difficult days I didn't think about it. I thought about it and I even I took some decisions that were good for Ashley.'

Spurs limped into a last 16 UEFA Cup tie against PSV Eindhoven with an unconvincing 1-1 draw against Slavia Prague as they scraped through 3-2 on aggregate and manager Ramos has demanded an improvement from his side at Wembley.

He has warned them they will be brushed aside by Chelsea if they do not raise their game.

'The truth is if we play like we did against Slavia, then we are not going to win very often,' he conceded.

'But you have to remember this is the same team who beat Arsenal three weeks ago so we do have possibilities of winning.

'The performance against Slavia wasn't the best and we'll have to improve to beat Chelsea.'

TOTTENHAM (probable) 4-4-2: Robinson; Hutton, Woodgate, King, Chimbonda; Lennon, Zokora, Jenas, Malbranque; Keane, Berbatov.

CHELSEA (probable) 4-3-3: Cech; Belletti, Carvalho, Terry, Bridge; Essien, Mikel, Lampard; Anelka, Drogba, J Cole.

Referee: Mark Halsey.

TV: Sky Sports 1, 2.30pm.

Kick-off: 3pm

 

[nightgoat]

A&C's trousers are bulging already :lol:

 

[Lilbaz]

I do hope not, the Mail always seem to be knocking us. I also notice that they don't have any quotes and none of the other papers have the story.

It would be a dream if Ledley can put his injuries behind him and with Woodgate form the best defensive partnership in the Prem.

 

[CosmicHotspur]

There's nothing in that article that is knocking Ledley or Spurs in any way whatsoever. Of course the source isn't revealed, but let's face it, Ledley has been out with severe injuries for a long time now and there is obviously a very serious problem. No point in being in denial about the situation.

If his knees and hip really are in such a bad state, his playing career will very likely be curtailed.

The Mail also reported that even if Ledley didn't play in the final, he would be brought on to receive the Cup as captain if (when!) we win.

Such a shame. Such a great defender.

 

[paul_1979yid]

How long has this sodding debate been going on for?????

Only time will tell...........

 

[nidge]

Thought I would lock this before A&C sees it.

 

[Archibald&Crooks]

Sorry it took me so long. The anticipation of locking this gave me an extra rampant hard on, which took up so much blood that I passed out.

Normal service is resumed. :up: