Harry Redknapp convinced Ledley King will make final England squad

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp's says he has not doubt in his mind that Ledley King will be included in Fabio Capello's World Cup squad.

Dead cert: Harry Redknapp is convinced Ledley King deserves a place in Fabio Capello's England squad 

England assistant Franco Baldini was at White Hart Lane on Saturday to watch King put in a trademark performance in Tottenham's 1-0 win over the Trotters. And Redknapp has been in regular contact about King with Capello, who is likely to name the defender in his 30-man provisional squad in two weeks' time.

He will then be given a chance to impress the Italian in friendlies against Mexico at Wembley on May 24 and Japan in Austria before Capello announces his final World Cup 2010 23-man squad on June 1.

Should both Rio Ferdinand and John Terry break down during the tournament, England would be left to rely on King, who can only play every six days due to a chronic knee injury which has dogged him throughout his career.

But Redknapp insists King's form will enable him to make the plane to South Africa, regardless of worries about his fitness.

"He's a certainty to go to the World Cup," Redknapp said. "Look at how he played at Old Trafford, he was our best player.

"I'd be surprised if he (Capello) doesn't take him. I spoke to Fabio Capello about six weeks ago. He kept asking how's Ledley, how's Ledley?

"When Capello spoke to me he said he had six days between each game. I said it's not a problem then.

"What a great player to have. Even if he doesn't start him, if something happens with Rio or John then you've got him to come in. You can bet your life on him going."

Last week King said that representing England in South Africa wold be "a dream" and added that he was not ruling out the possibility of playing at the World Cup.

"It would be a dream to pull on that England shirt again, and what player would ever turn that down?" he said. “I’m quite philosophical about whether the call will come.

“All you can do is play your football. You’ve got to make sure you play well and if you do then you give yourself a chance.

“Of course, I’d love to represent my country and be part of the World Cup squad though I can’t deny this season has been a difficult one for me - I’ve not been playing consistently and have had quite a few niggling injuries.

“Of course, the injury holds me back in one sense.

“But in another - through having to deal with the adversity of not being able to play every week, and not being able to train - I’ve had to invest heavily in mental side of things. I believe that, in itself, has made me a more complete player.

“It’s not easy. But over the last couple of years I’ve become mentally stronger than ever before."