Woodgate relief for King-hit Spurs

Tottenham will turn to Jonathan Woodgate after revealing injury stricken captain Ledley King is set for more surgery.

Woodgate has not played first-team football for English Premier League outfit Spurs since November 2009, but could be rushed back into the side because of injuries to King and Younes Kaboul and the suspension of Michael Dawson.

Woodgate, 31, has featured in two practice games for Spurs in his latest comeback but has yet to put in a 90-minute shift.

The former Leeds, Real Madrid and Middlesbrough central defender is nonetheless under consideration by Harry Redknapp for a start at Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday, although his manager has pledged not to take the decision lightly.

“He’s not played a game of any note but he’s in my mind because he’s such a fantastic player,” Redknapp said.

“I’m dreaming he can come in and be somewhere near what he was straight away, but it’s not going to be easy and I’ll have to think about that one today.”

“He’ll be involved in some way but I’ve got a mind to throw him in at the deep end. I’ll think about it (starting him) today and see how he looks this morning, but it’s a big ask for him.”

The news gets no better for captain King, who has made just four Premier League appearances this season and has not seen action since Spurs’ 2-1 win over Fulham in October.

Having been ailed by a degenerative knee injury in recent seasons, it is now King’s groin that will need attention from the surgeon’s knife.