Capello today submits the 30-man list to FIFA of players who will travel to Austria for pre-World Cup training ahead of the final 23-man squad announcement on June 1.
Tottenham’s Ledley King will be included in Capello’s initial party, and he is also pondering whether to take to Austria the man responsible for keeping defender King fit.
King’s chronic knee problems mean he is unable to train with Spurs and instead prepares for games in the gym and in chairman Daniel Levy’s swimming pool.
Spurs coach Nathan Gardiner is the man responsible for working one on one with King and he could be given that brief with Capello.
England
doctor Ian Beasley has been in close contact with Spurs about how King
would have to be managed. But it would make sense to let Gardiner
travel with King, at least to Austria, to make sure the player is dealt
with correctly.
Gardiner’s excellent work,
along with the rest of the Tottenham medical staff, has made sure King
has managed to make 21 domestic appearances this season. The final-day
defeat at Burnley was his fourth game in 15 days, a record that proves
Gardiner would be able to make sure he plays an active role for England
in the World Cup.
“I am really happy because King has played four games in 15 days,” said Capello yesterday. “He looks good.”
Team-mate
Peter Crouch said: “It is a real shame with Ledley’s injury problems
because otherwise he would have gone on to be the world’s best defender
for me.
“But on his day, and when he is fit, there is still nobody better in his position.”
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