King set for knee surgery

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has revealed Ledley King is likely to have another knee operation this summer.

The centre-back, who has made 23 appearances for Spurs this season, has been restricted by chronic knee problems for a number of years and is forced to undergo a special training routine in order to prolong his playing career at White Hart Lane.

In February, King aggravated his knee further following a collision with a youth-team goalkeeper in training and while his contract expires in June, Redknapp is keen to retain the 31-year-old’s services.

“Hopefully, we’ll get his knee cleared out in the summer and he will be right again,” Redknapp told The Times.

“For the sake of the club and the team, he has tried to play on, but he has been playing in pain and his movement’s not been as good.

“I’m sure the chairman (Daniel Levy) respects everything he has done for the club and we’d love to keep him around.”

Redknapp is poised to bolster his defensive options this summer with the 8.1-million-pound signing of Ajax centre-back Jan Vertonghen, beating rivals Arsenal to the much-praised 25-year-old’s signature.