17 November 2023 , 00:00
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Tottenham captain Son Heung-min has allayed fears of him adding to Spurs' mounting injury crisis.
Manager Ange Postecoglou recently lost stars James Maddison and Micky van de Ven until 2024, with the double injury blow being confirmed ahead of Saturday's gut-wrenching 2-1 defeat away to Wolves. Tottenham fans feared the worst when they found out that Son, who's scored eight Premier League this season, had gone down in pain during South Korea's 5-0 thrashing of Singapore.
Fortunately for Spurs supporters, the 31-year-old received treatment on his right ankle and was able to continue for the final few minutes. Son later put his fans at ease by telling reporters in Seoul: "I am fine now, I don't like to lie down [on the pitch] in the winter. At that moment [going down] I couldn't feel anything on my foot. I'm fine, no injury."
The Tottenham hero, who scored in the victory to move his nation top of their qualifying group, then affirmed: "We are making a team for the World Cup, I can't give up a game just because I feel pain. If I can't run anymore, then I can't do anything about it. But when I can run, I have to give 100 per cent for the team."
With Maddison and Van de Ven, two influential summer signings, not expected to return until the new year, it'll be up to experienced pros like Son to keep Spurs' title hopes alive. New boss Postecoglou gave the South Korea international the captain's armband following Harry Kane's move to Bayern Munich and he's been rewarded with a string of superb performances.
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Son has also played in a central striker role, filling the void left by all-time top goalscorer Kane. Asked about the tactical switch, Postecoglou explained to Sky Sports: "It's similar to Cristiano at Manchester United, he started out as a winger.
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Son looked to have picked up an injury but insists that he's fine (Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)"I have always felt that Sonny is such a good finisher, his movement is outstanding. I think he is clever enough to play centrally as it gets a bit more congested than when you are out wide. I always like his work ethic. His press initiates everything for us from a defensive point of view. It was an idea I had in my mind and thankfully it has worked out."
Next up for Son is a trip to China on Tuesday to continue World Cup qualification before returning to England and turning out for Tottenham, who welcome Aston Villa next Sunday.