Gary Pallister insists Ledley King should be going with England to South Africa in 2010.

The Tottenham defender has chronic knee problems and can barely train between matches for Tottenham but former Manchester United and England centre half Pallister insists that King is worth the risk.

Pallister told the Evening Standard: "John Terry and Rio Ferdinand are obviously first choice, but Ledley would have been pushing them for a place the last two years if not for his injuries.

"He is a player who could provide great cover to those two. He is also versatile, he can also play the holding role in midfield, and you want players like that in a squad at a World Cup.

"If either John or Rio were injured or suspended for one game at a tournament, he certainly could come in and do a job."