The 30-year-old King, who struggles to train because of knee problems, will have a groin operation and is "nowhere near being able to play" according to manager Redknapp.
A club spokesman confirmed on Tuesday that King would have surgery but said no date had yet been fixed.
"He's not played a game of any note but he's in my mind because he's such a fantastic player," Redknapp said of the 31-year-old who was not even named in the club's 25-man squad at the start of the season because of a groin injury.
"I'm dreaming he can come in and be somewhere near what he was straight away, but it's not going to be easy and I'll have to think about that one today.
"He'll be involved in some way but I've got a mind to throw him in at the deep end. I'll think about it [starting him] today and see how he looks this morning, but it's a big ask for him."
