King sits out England training

Ledley King did not train with the England squad on Tuesday during their first practice session ahead of Saturday’s friendly against Slovakia and next week’s World Cup qualifier with Ukraine.

The 28-year-old Tottenham Hotspur captain does not train with the Premier League side between matches because of a chronic knee condition.

King’s longstanding fitness problems have cast a shadow over his international career because it is hard to see how his body could stand up to the rigours of tournament football, where major matches come thick and fast.

Spurs manager Harry Redknapp was shocked by the decision of Fabio Capello to call-up King, who has not played for England since the Euro 2008 qualifier in Estonia almost two years ago, saying it risked his club availability.

If King played against Ukraine at Wembley a week on Wednesday he would all but be ruled out of Tottenham’s match against Blackburn Rovers after the interntional break.

“Ledley hardly trains and has to be nursed through every week,” Redknapp told The Sun. “I really can’t see the sense in this.

“It’s pointless. If he plays against Ukraine there is no way he can play on Saturday against Blackburn.”

Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips (sore back) and Portsmouth striker Peter Crouch (tight calf) also sat out the session at Arsenal’s London Colney training ground but neither of their injuries were considered serious.