Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou provided the latest on Son Heung-min‘s recovery from a foot injury following Spurs’ embarrassing 5-1 loss to Premier League champions Liverpool.
The Lilywhites were momentarily on course to ruin the Reds’ title party on Merseyside, as Dominic Solanke out-muscled Luis Diaz at a corner and nodded home into the far corner.
However, subsequent efforts from Diaz, Mohamed Salah, Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo – as well as a Destiny Udogie own goal – propelled Liverpool to glory and condemned Spurs to another chastening defeat.
Tottenham have now lost 19 Premier League matches this season, their joint-most in a single season, and Postecoglou has now equalled the record for the most Premier League defeats by a Spurs boss in one season after Ossie Ardiles oversaw the same number in 1993-94.
The Lilywhites have nothing to play for at the end of a disastrous Premier League campaign, though, as Postecoglou’s priority is the Europa League, where Spurs will scrap with Bodo/Glimt in the semi-finals.
Postecoglou provides Son injury update before Bodo/Glimt first leg
© Imago
The Lilywhites host their Norwegian counterparts in the first leg on Thursday evening, before the return fixture takes place a week later, but Son’s fitness remains a concern ahead of the opening battle.
The Spurs skipper has missed his side’s last four matches with a foot problem, one that he had been managing for a while, but he was eventually forced to take a spot on the sidelines due to his condition deteriorating.
Asked by BBC Sport whether Son would be fit to face Bodo/Glimt on Thursday, Postecoglou did not express too much confidence but was more upbeat about his chances of playing in the second leg.
“It’ll be touch and go for Thursday. He’ll try hard. If [he’s not ready] for the first game we think he’ll be ready for the second game,” the Australian said after Sunday’s defeat.
Spurs are also missing long-term ACL victim Radu Dragusin, while Rodrigo Bentancur was absent from the squad to face Liverpool on Sunday, but the Uruguayan was simply being rested ahead of Thursday.
What options do Spurs have to replace Son?
© Iconsport
Since Son entered the treatment room, Postecoglou has only started one player in the captain’s left-wing slot; 20-year-old Bayern Munich loanee Mathys Tel.
However, the former Rennes starlet has flattered to deceive in that position, scoring just one goal in those four appearances and going scoreless and assist-less in each of his last three.
Postecoglou is not exactly spoiled for choice on that side, though; Timo Werner was left out of Spurs’ Europa League squad for the knockout rounds, while Mikey Moore has not played a single minute since February 9.
The Spurs boss’ only real alternatives on that side would be Brennan Johnson and Richarlison, and even then they would be makeshift alternatives, so Tel may still be the next best thing.
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