Tottenham manager Hoddle is delighted by the decision of Sven-Goran Eriksson to call the central defender into his England squad for next week's friendly international against Holland.

``It is great for the club and great for Ledley, especially in a World Cup year, and I am absolutely delighted for him,'' said Hoddle.

``Ledley has impressed me immensely with his level of consistency this season - nothing seems to faze him.

``He has been absolutely marvellous. The potential is there, and where he can go in the future is in his own hands, and those of the people he is working with.

``He is everything I hoped for, but probably two years earlier than I thought we would have him, so I am delighted with him and with the way he is playing.''

When Hoddle took charge of Spurs shortly before the end of last season, King was playing as a central midfield player.

But he converted the 21-year-old into a defender and it has paid off with stunning effect this season, culminating in today's senior call up.

``I didn't get much of a chance to work with him last season because he fractured his cheekbone soon after I came in,'' said Hoddle.

``When I arrived here, Ledley was a midfield player - he played in midfield most of the time under George Graham - but I didn't see him as a midfield player.

``He can do a job in midfield, but I felt his number one position was at the back, and he has come up trumps.

``I am pleased with the way Ledley has settled in to the position and I think he has got the potential to go all the way, I really believe that.

``He has got a rare talent. That talent is as an English defender who can play off both feet, in the left or the right channel. He is quick and strong, so he has got every attribute a defender needs.

``You look at Ledley and think: he can win it in the air, he has got pace, he has got physical strength, and he is two footed. With experience and confidence there is no limit to what he can achieve.

``He just needs a little bit more time to expand on his talking and his concentration.

``They are the two things which are lacking in any youngster and that will come on.

``You know you can put those things into a player, whereas raw ability you cannot, and he has already got that.''