However someone who knows Ledley like no other is Spurs coach Chris Hughton. Hughton has followed every step of Ledley's rise through the Tottenham ranks since he joined the club as a trainee in 1997 and can recall how he stood out from crowd at a young age.

"I can remember him playing in the youth team and Ledley was one that if you were watching, he would stand out", he told spurs.co.uk.

"Sometimes he would do two or three things at the back, show real composure, bring the ball down instead of panicking and kicking it away, he would have more composure than others.

"It is a wonderful bonus for us that he has come through the youth policy here. "The thing is, he's at the start of his career.

"The position he plays is a mature position. Generally the best centre-halves don't reach their peaks until they are 28, 29 years of age when they can combine the qualities they've got with that maturity and leadership you need in that position. "He's got it all in front of him and as a future international, most definitely.

"His priority at the moment has to be to get himself fit and to play games here but certainly he has a wonderfully bright future."

Hughton is a graduate of the FA's Pro-License training course and as such is in a great position to believe that Ledley, with his natural strength, pace and quality on the ball, can go to the highest level.

"He has a big frame but he's comfortable enough on the ball to cope with the pressures and pace of the modern game and the abilities of the players he's playing.

"If you look at international defenders, the vast majority will not only be able to defend but also distribute the ball. They have that composure, particularly at international level where the game is faster and more frantic than in the Premiership and most national leagues. As an international player, he is someone you would think has a future."

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