By random_hero - 14 Jun 2010 8:49 PM
England seek second opinion on King
Ledley King's scans have been dispatched to London for a second opinion and he will be assessed on a day-to-day basis, but Soccernet can confirm that the England defender will likely be out for "two to three weeks."
King attended training with his team-mates on Monday but was restricted to work in the swimming pool after joining Wayne Rooney and Ashley Cole in sitting out the main session.
An FA spokesman said regarding King's injury: "Ledley has a groin muscle strain. He will be assessed on a day-to-day basis."
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has cast doubt on King's participation in the remainder of the tournament, telling talkSPORT: "I spoke to our physio last night, Wayne Diesel. Wayne is out in South Africa, he's gone over there to be around the England camp.
"I don't think we'll see Ledley again if he's struggling to play. They are getting the result back from the scan today, but if there's a tear in the groin that would make it difficult for him. That's the problem for him, when you don't train and have to play at that top, top class level you're going to pick up injuries."
The Tottenham defender suffered a tear in his groin in the first half of England's 1-1 draw with USA and was replaced by Jamie Carragher, who is now favourite to continue alongside John Terry with King's groin injury destined to keep him out until the latter stages of the World Cup.
A source close to Fabio Capello told Soccernet on Monday morning: "Ledley King had a scan yesterday and it looks as though he will be out for two to three weeks.
"As always we have sent the scans to London for a second opinion and we await the results. But it doesn't look good, and it would seem logical that Fabio Capello will go with the experience of Jamie Carragher and John Terry.
"But Fabio Capello will look closely at Michael Dawson and Matthew Upson in training in the next few days."
Having lost captain Rio Ferdinand before the start of the tournament, and possibly now his replacement, Capello is running out of central defenders with any genuine pace. That is why Dawson will become a strong candidate.
Inside the camp, Capello is not panicking. A source said: "Fabio is quite confident in whoever he plays in that position. Dawson will, I am sure, be considered, but he does lack experience. Fabio will see how he does in training. But the feeling is that Fabio will go with the two most experienced central defenders."
The FA has also played down the severity of Rooney's ankle injury and he is expected to play against Algeria on June 18. Cole's absence from training is also not thought to be a concern.
Gareth Barry trained with the squad and is available for selection when England play Algeria on June 18.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/story/_/id/796231/ce/uk/?cc=3436&ver=global
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