King did not try to injure Ljungberg - Hoddle

Tottenham manager Glenn Hoddle has dismissed suggestions Ledley King deliberately set out to injure Arsenal midfielder Freddie Ljungberg during Saturday’s north London derby at Highbury.

King, who was yesterday called up to Sven-Goran Eriksson’s senior get-together in Hertfordshire, made his first appearance of the season in Saturday’s 3-0 defeat after recovering from a hip problem.

And he immediately found himself embroiled in a row following his challenge on Ljungberg which left the Swede limping heavily.

However, Hoddle claims there was no intent in the incident, which escaped any action from referee Mike Riley and enraged many of the Arsenal players.

“I am very disappointed with the reaction to this challenge,” said the Spurs boss.

“Note that Ljungberg hasn’t accused Ledley of anything and anyone can see that there was nothing deliberate in what happened.

“Ledley’s momentum took him there and unfortunately he did catch Freddie, but in no way was any impact deliberate.”

Recently, television evidence led to Arsenal striker Dennis Bergkamp being charged by the Football Association following a stamp on Blackburn’s Nils-Eric Johansson.