King has op

Tottenham defender Ledley King has undergone a knee operation on Monday afternoon and will be out of action for up to six weeks.

Spurs coach Martin Jol confirmed that King, who injured his knee in training, would be out until October following surgery on his damaged cartilage. After Tottenham's friendly win over Inter Milan on Sunday, Jol was hopeful King's problem was not as serious as first feared.

But a further scan on his knee revealed the England international required an operation to cure the problem.

Jol admitted King's absence would be a big blow to his plans but he had plenty in reserve with Calum Davenport and Anthony Gardner uppermost in his thoughts.

"Ledley had an operation this afternoon and he will be back playing in five or six weeks," said Jol.

"We have to get on with it but it is a blow. Ledley is one of our best players and one of the best defenders in England. But I think we will solve the problem from within the ranks."

But Jol refused talk about increasing speculation that Spurs had increased their offer for Wigan right-back Pascal Chimbonda in a cash-plus-player deal that would see Republic of Ireland midfielder Andy Reid going in the opposite direction.

When quizzed on whether Spurs had renewed their interest in the player, Jol responded: "I cannot comment on that."