Ledley worry for Sven

Sven-Goran Eriksson defensive crisis ahead of Euro 2004 deepened with confirmation that Ledley King is suffering with a serious injury that could rule him out of the tournament in Portugal.

Sportsmail revealed yesterday that the Tottenham centre half might need surgery on a hip condition and Tord Grip, Eriksson's assistant, thinks it is cause for concern.

Grip said: 'Although he played well against Arsenal, he was not moving freely.'

Eriksson has already lost Rio Ferdinand to suspension this summer and earlier this week Newcastle ruled out Jonathan Woodgate for the remainder of the season with a torn thigh muscle. Gareth Southgate is also struggling, although he hopes to be fit by the start of June, while Wes Brown is only just returning to form after missing the first half of the season with injury.

Eriksson is still hopeful of selecting Brown even if it is against the wishes of Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who thinks he needs to rest in the summer.

'I haven't spoken to Wes or Alex Ferguson,' said Eriksson in an interview with BBC Radio Five. 'But Wes Brown is still not what he was before the injury. We will see what happens with Wes during the last games.'

Eriksson, is prepared to incur the wrath of Ferguson and select Brown if he feels he needs him, and, increasingly, it looks like that will be the case. Going into this summer's tournament, Eriksson could be selecting Brown and Southgate as cover for Sol Campbell and John Terry.