Inflammation to King's knee means the 28-year-old struggles to play games in quick succession, although he will sit out training this week in the hope of facing Berbatov, who left for Old Trafford in acrimony three months ago.

King, who scored in the 2-0 win over West Ham on Monday, said: "Until the match comes along, I won't be counted out. I have niggles, but I just leave it and wait for the day. I have no problem doing that.

"Of course I am desperate to face United, because I want to be involved in all the big games. It is a shorter week than normal for me, with the West Ham game being on a Monday night, but I will do my best to prepare and hopefully I will be available."

King's importance to Spurs is reflected in statistics - they have not won a Barclays Premier League match this season without their skipper in the side.

He has also been involved in Spurs' important performances in recent seasons, including the Carling Cup final win over Chelsea last season where his centre-back partnership with Jonathan Woodgate was highlighted as a key element in ending the club's nine-year trophy drought.

His training schedule draws comparisons to a former United player in Paul McGrath, who rested between games towards the end of his career.

Like King, McGrath's class as a footballing centre-back was universally recognised, despite his fitness problems.

"When Ledley is available he'll play because he is top class," said Spurs boss Redknapp. "If he's fit, he's an England player."

Redknapp has prioritised league matches for King, whose knee has been the main problem among a host of injury concerns since the 2006 World Cup.

He has suffered metatarsal and hip complaints, as well as operations on his knee in successive summers.

Skipping the final part of last season and training on his own in Barcelona saw him confident heading into the new campaign, although he still cannot play regularly.

Former boss Juande Ramos, the new Real Madrid coach, raised eyebrows by using King for cup games - but Redknapp sees the defender as a way of climbing the league table from their current place in 15th.

Spurs have won nine of Redknapp's 12 matches in charge and United are the next test.

King feels Berbatov will get a positive reaction from the crowd and the Spurs players he left behind.

"Dimitar Berbatov was brilliant for the club, and he was a fans' favourite, but hopefully we can keep him quiet on Saturday," he said.

"There will be no animosity between us. We will say hello to him and shake his hand but once we are on the pitch, we have a job to do.

"It happens a lot that you face your former team-mates, and I am used to playing against people I know, so facing Dimitar won't be an issue."