England legend Terry Butcher believes Tottenham defender Ledley King can cover injured England teammate Rio Ferdinand.

Butcher accepted it was the last thing Fabio Capello needed on his first full day in Rustenburg, but believes King can fill the defensive void.

"For him to be out is a hammer blow and is something England could well do without," Butcher told Sky Sports News.

"I've never heard of injuries before in training sessions in the build-up [to a World Cup].

"I know competition's pretty fierce but it was obviously too fierce. Is the training too hard? Are the players too wound up, too keen?

"It's a psychological blow, because it's the first day, you've just touched down, he's the leader, and the players will look at that and say, 'Blimey, we'd better take it a bit easier and make sure no-one else gets injured'.

"Capello's plans are now up in smoke really. Ledley King is the main man now for me and should step in."