King hit by new injury blow

English Premiership side Spurs suffered a blow when it was revealed highly-rated England international centreback Ledley King, seen here in March 2006, would be out of action for six weeks after undergoing a knee operation.

English Premiership side Spurs suffered a blow when it was revealed highly-rated England international centreback Ledley King would be out of action for six weeks after undergoing a knee operation.

The 25-year-old missed out on the World Cup because of a foot injury and will now miss new England boss Steve McClaren's first game in charge against European champions Greece in a friendly on August 16.

Spurs boss Martin Jol admitted it was a massive blow but that he would not be panicked into buying a replacement.

"Ledley had an operation this afternoon and he will be back playing in five or six weeks," said Jol, who guided Spurs to within a fraction of qualifying for the Champions League for the first time last season.

"We must get on with it but it is a blow. He is one of our best players and one of the best defenders in England.

"I think we will solve the problem from within the ranks."

King, who last played for Spurs against Everton on April 15, suffered the injury in training and is also likely to miss the Euro 2008 qualifiers against Andorra and Macedonia, which take place at the start of September.