King out of England squad

Ledley King has pulled out of the England squad ahead of tomorrow’s Euro 2008 qualifier in Croatia.

The Tottenham defender did not join Steve McClaren and his players on the flight to Zagreb today as he still has concerns about his knee, on which he had an operation in the summer.

The problem ruled him out of training yesterday and, after a conversation with boss McClaren and England’s medical staff, it was agreed that he should not travel.

The Football Association’s director of communications Adrian Bevington said: “While Ledley King didn’t suffer any reaction overnight to his knee, further to conversations involving Ledley, Steve McClaren and England’s medical staff, immediately before flying this morning, it has become clear that Ledley is not entirely comfortable.

“Therefore, as a precaution the England medical staff and Steve McClaren felt it was in Ledley’s best interests not to fly and so he is out of the game.”