Spurs skipper Ledley is right to rest injured knee, says team-mate Keane

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King returned to captain his team to Carling Cup success over Chelsea at Wembley but he continued to feel pain in his knee and has been unable to feature regularly.

King took the decision to rule himself out of the remaining five games and Keane said: "The time is right for Ledley to take a step back to try to make sure he is leading us out on a regular basis next season.

"It is a real benefit of our early qualification for Europe.

"Ledley will be in the dressing room on match days as usual, supporting us with his customary calm."