LEDLEY King this week urged his Spurs team-mates that Sunday s Carling Cup triumph has to be the first of many. The Tottenham skipper played through the pain of his troublesome knee to star in the 2-1 win over favourites Chelsea at Wembley – the Lilywhite

LEDLEY King this week urged his Spurs team-mates that Sunday's Carling Cup triumph has to be the first of many.

The Tottenham skipper played through the pain of his troublesome knee to star in the 2-1 win over favourites Chelsea at Wembley - the Lilywhites' first trophy in nine years.

"I want this to be the first of many for us and I know it can be," King told Ham&High Sport. "One trophy in nine years is not good enough for this club. With the squad we've got, we should be producing this kind of performance and this level of excitement for the fans a lot more.

"I felt we were destined to lift the cup even at 1-0 down. You could see at Wembley we're a team that can go and win trophies."

King, who has made just seven appearances this season, hit back at speculation that he may have to retire because of his long-standing knee problems.

"I have some problems with the knee," he admitted. "I have played games and then afterwards it's been a bit of a problem. But I am not worried about it one bit. I'm confident I will have a lot of football to come and will stay with the team. And as a team we are going places.

"At the moment it is a tricky situation. But hopefully, if not this season then definitely next season, I will be all right and get it right."

"My desire has not gone away. I'm not 100 per cent at the moment. I haven't done much training in the last month or so. Once I get my knee right, and I will because I'm not worried about it."

King admitted he tired as the match went into extra-time but praised his team-mates for getting him through it, especially defensive partner Jonathan Woodgate.

"He's a top player," said King. "He's been at big clubs and done a lot of big things. It was our first game together on Sunday after training maybe twice together before. We're confident in each other. I'm confident he's going to be there and he's confident I'm going to be there. That way you can go out and produce. Hopefully, it is the start of something good."

l Spurs will present the Carling Cup to fans at the Lane before next Thursday's Uefa Cup first leg clash against PSV Eindhoven. The club have declined Haringey Council's offer of an open-top bus parade but have accepted the council's invitation to a civic reception.

pat.mooney@hamhigh.co.uk