King pulls out of England squad
Defender Ledley King has withdrawn from the England squad to face Croatia in the Euro 2008 qualifier in Zagreb.
The Tottenham skipper, 25, has pulled out of Wednesday's match as a precaution to protect a knee injury.
King had surgery on a long-standing problem over the summer when he was recovering from a broken foot but his knee is still flaring up after games.
His absence should be offset by the return of Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand following a back spasm.
Ferdinand missed Saturday's 0-0 draw with Macedonia and was replaced in the centre of defence by King, who took the plaudits in a disappointing performance.
Coach Steve McClaren said: \"Rio has trained and it's good to have him back with us.
\"He will be travelling with the squad and we expect him to train in Croatia, providing there's no reaction.\"
Despite Ferdinand's expected return, King was tipped to keep his starting place, either in a back three or in the holding role in midfield.
But his withdrawal was confirmed after consultation between McClaren and his medical staff.
The Football Association's director of communications Adrian Bevington said: \"While Ledley King didn't suffer any reaction overnight to his knee, 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.\"
King played his first match of the season for Spurs in the defeat at Manchester United on 9 September and since then has completed four matches for the club.
However, the nagging knee problem means he generally sits out training two days after matches.
And he was forced to miss the Uefa Cup second-leg victory against Sparta Prague as he had not recovered sufficiently from the previous weekend's exertions at Liverpool.
