Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min is a fitness doubt for the first leg of their Europa League semi-final against Bodo/Glimt next week.
Son, 32, has missed their last three games in all competitions, including the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final victory over Eintracht Frankfurt on April 17.
Before that game in Germany last week, head coach Ange Postecoglou revealed that the South Korea international had been “battling with a foot problem for a few weeks and managed through it but it has got too painful in the last few days.”
Son was absent for Monday’s defeat by Nottingham Forest, and Postecoglou confirmed he will not be available for this weekend’s clash against Liverpool at Anfield.
“Squad-wise, pretty much no change from the other day (against Forest),” Postecoglou told Tottenham’s website. “All the guys got through it ok in terms of rehab. The only one is Sonny, who’s still going through that process, improving but not ready for Sunday.
“With the program we have coming up, Thursday’s obviously a big night for us. It’ll be a matter of playing the few that need the game time and others that we feel may need less exposure, we’ll have a look at it.”
Asked later on Friday at a news conference whether Son needed treatment or a rest, Postecoglou replied: “A bit of both. The foot element because it is weight bearing you just need to give him some rest and some time off it and give him some treatment. The main (thing) is to get him off his feet for a week and allow it to settle so he can start the process of getting back.”
Tottenham’s only chance of winning silverware this season, and qualifying for the Champions League, is by winning the Europa League.
Son, who had an option to extend his contract until 2026 triggered by Tottenham in January, has scored 11 goals and provided 12 assists in 43 games this season. His experience will be missed if he is unavailable but on-loan forward Mathys Tel’s performances have significantly improved in the last couple of weeks.
(Photo: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)