Ledley King is as important to Tottenham as what Cristiano Ronaldo is to Real Madrid, according to Jermaine Jenas.

The midfielder has described King as one of the best players in the world and is hoping that the defender will be able to remain at the club for a number of years, despite his trouble with injuries.

Jenas said: ‘You see the difference and you feel the difference when he is not playing. That is not just me saying that, because all our defenders respect him.

‘All our other centre-halves have performed superbly when called upon, but taking Ledley out of a side is like taking Cristiano Ronaldo — or any of the best players in the world — out of a team. Any team would miss Ledley.

‘Yes, he has picked up the odd niggle here and there, but things are a lot more positive for him now, in terms of playing games. Hopefully, he will stay at Spurs for a long time to come.’