Postecoglou confirms huge Spurs selection blow for Crystal Palace trip
Tottenham Hotspur faces mounting challenges as their captain Heung-min Son remains doubtful for the upcoming Premier League match against Crystal Palace.
Despite making a triumphant return to the starting lineup in last week’s emphatic 4-1 victory over West Ham, Son has yet to fully recover from a hamstring injury sustained during Tottenham’s Europa League opener against Qarabag in September.
Although Son netted a goal in the win over West Ham, his recurring discomfort led to him sitting out Thursday’s narrow 1-0 victory over AZ Alkmaar, as manager Ange Postecoglou opted for caution to prevent aggravating the injury.
Postecoglou confirmed that Son would not participate in Friday’s training, casting significant doubt on his availability for the game against Palace. The manager emphasized Son’s ongoing recovery and the importance of allowing him ample time to regain full fitness.
Postecoglou remarked on the player’s fatigue and residual discomfort, suggesting it is still too soon for Son to rejoin the lineup. This cautious approach reflects Tottenham’s strategic focus on managing their captain’s health for a demanding stretch of fixtures that includes crucial clashes with Manchester City in the Carabao Cup, Aston Villa, and a Europa League test against Galatasaray.
The potential absence of Son highlights Tottenham’s reliance on him as both a leader and a consistent goal scorer. In his stead, Postecoglou will need to depend on other offensive options to maintain the momentum Spurs have built over recent weeks.
Fortunately, Tottenham’s squad is showing signs of recovery on other fronts. Wilson Odobert, who has been sidelined for over a month due to his own hamstring strain, returned to the pitch in Thursday’s game, offering some much-needed depth to the lineup. Lucas Bergvall and Richarlison, both of whom were subbed out with cramps in the second half of the match, are expected to be available for selection.
Postecoglou also provided an update on full-back Djed Spence, who remains out with a groin strain suffered during training. Although not part of Tottenham’s Europa League squad, Spence is nearing a return and is anticipated to resume training next week. His recovery would be a timely boost for Spurs, offering additional defensive stability during this busy schedule.
As Tottenham prepares for these pivotal matches, the team’s performance without Son could prove vital to maintaining their standing in both domestic and European competitions.
His fitness will be closely monitored, especially with the Carabao Cup showdown against Manchester City fast approaching. The team’s offensive lineup may need to adapt, with emerging talents like Odobert stepping up and the reliable Richarlison providing key support.
This cautious approach to Son’s injury reflects Tottenham’s broader strategy under Postecoglou, emphasizing player health and long-term availability over immediate returns. With a demanding series of fixtures on the horizon, Spurs are poised to demonstrate both depth and resilience, qualities that could be essential to navigating this challenging period in their season.
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