Tottenham defender Ledley King could be facing a World Cup KO.

The Sun says the centre-back faces three weeks on the sidelines after damaging an adductor muscle in his groin almost immediately after kick-off in the 1-1 draw with the USA.

John Terry told the England bench of the problem right after skipper Steven Gerrard's fourth-minute goal.

Spurs defender King battled on to half-time before being replaced by Jamie Carragher.

His KO is another blow to Fabio Capello, who lost centre-back and captain Rio Ferdinand a week before the tournament started.

And now the Italian's gamble on putting King in his 23-man squad looks to have backfired.