Gradual return for King

King: Gradual return

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• Ledley King
• Ricardo Rocha

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Tottenham Hotspur assistant manager Gus Poyet has emphasised the importance of not rushing Ledley King's return to first-team action.

King's return from a long-term knee injury is in full swing after he successfully completed 45 minutes in Spurs' reserve game at Fulham on Tuesday night.

The 27-year-old defender has not featured for Tottenham this season after undergoing knee surgery in the summer.

His absence at the back has been keenly felt, with the North London club conceding 28 goals in 15 Premier League games so far this campaign.

Slowly, slowly

Poyet believes his recuperation is going well, however he was keen to highlight the importance of a slow return.

"It was good to see Ledley. It was only 45 minutes, but it was excellent," he told Sky Sports News.

"I was watching Ledley and also Ricardo Rocha. I think they had a good game.

"Slowly, slowly we are going to get them back. They have been training with us a few times.

Too difficult

"The problem now is just to see the reaction of the injury. If there is no reaction, then we will keep going.

"I think he is feeling great today, so we are very happy with that."

When quizzed on whether Tottenham's backroom staff have pencilled in a date for King's return, Poyet said: "No, it is too difficult. We do not want to rush.

"We want to have proper conditioning in terms of fitness and conditioning."