Ledley King has had a tough time of it in the last few years. Injuries have meant he can’t play more than one game a week and that his training time is extremely limited.

Click here for free £25 bet with Betfair

To cut a long story short, his knee swells up easily, meaning he has to pick and choose when he plays the game he loves.

Despite these problems, though, one of the biggest debates surrounding the England football team at the moment is whether King should be included in Fabio Capello’s World Cup squad for next year.

That’s right, despite playing just three of Tottenham’s five games this season and only managing 24 Premier League appearances ast season, he has been touted for a spot on the plane to South Africa.

A testament to the influence he has had in the games he has played, I’m sure you will agree.

One man who knows King better than many is Jermain Defoe. The striker has played with Ledley for club and country and he believes that ''you want your best players in an international tournament'' - a category that King comfortably falls into.

The in-form England striker describes how King’s presence alone makes a huge difference when he does turn out for Spurs. He also revealed how the defender ''still has the desire to play for England'' and that he would be delighted if he got the call to represent his country.

This probably sums up the mentality of the player. Defoe admits he doesn’t know how King keeps his spirits up when he isn’t able to train, but revealed that it is obvious to everyone that he loves his football.

Indeed, the fact that King has to savour every game he plays probably means that he looks forward to the games at the weekend even more than most players. Then, this determination to do all he can despite his injury, shines through in his performances.

Overall, Defoe says the way King plays for Spurs is ''unbelievable'' with everything considered.

Is it enough to ensure a World Cup place, though? Personally, I’m not so sure.

Can you have a player in a major tournament squad who can’t train every day? Or one who can only play half of the games? I don’t think so, unfortunately.

Fabio Capello clearly rates King – he has picked him a number of times so far -  and he would like him involved somehow. I’m just not sure there is room for him.