Tottenham captain Heung-min Son was notably absent from the team’s 3-0 triumph over Manchester United, as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury sustained during Spurs’ Europa League victory over Qarabag FK.
South Korea’s national team manager, Hong Myung-bo, recently provided insight into Son’s condition as the winger races against time to be fit for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Jordan and Iraq.
Despite the injury, Hong included Son in the national squad but acknowledged that his fitness would need to be carefully monitored before any final decision on his participation is made.
Hong revealed that he had spoken directly with the 32-year-old, who reported positive signs in his recovery but admitted that he is not yet fully fit to return to competitive action.
Both Son and Tottenham have emphasised the need for caution, with the forward’s availability still uncertain.
“I communicated directly with Son Heung-min about his participation. I feel that he is gradually improving,” Hong stated in a recent interview with Chosun.
“Of course, I heard from him and the club that he is not in a position to play right now. He still has a few [club] games left. We’ll see whether he can play or not.”
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou had previously addressed the situation, expressing optimism that the injury is not too severe but emphasising the importance of ensuring a full recovery before Son returns to action.
As Tottenham navigate a demanding season in both the Premier League and European competitions, the club is taking no risks with their star player, prioritising his full recovery.
Meanwhile, Son’s involvement in South Korea’s upcoming qualifiers remains in doubt, depending on how his recovery progresses over the next few days.