Frank McAvennie believes that Tottenham Hotspur’s Son Heung-min could be back from injury sooner than expected.
During the first half of Tottenham’s final Champions League group game last week, the South Korean star suffered a fractured eye socket.
He had to undergo surgery as a result, but while he missed the defeat to Liverpool on Sunday, manager Antonio Conte suggested that he would be fit enough to make the World Cup.
Former West Ham United striker McAvennie is also hopeful he is available for the showcase in Qatar.
He told Football Insider: “I fractured my skull and they said I was going to be out for a while but I was only out for about three weeks, so, from what I know, Son could be back soon.
“Any team would miss Son. He took it like a man when he got dropped.
“He did not get rotated, he got dropped, and the manager told him he was not doing it. Then he came back and scored three and has been back on track.
“That is sometimes what you need. I feel for him. It will be a shame if he has to miss the World Cup because that is the kind of player you want to see there.”
TIF Thoughts on McAvennie’s comments…
Do you think Son will make it to the World Cup?
Yes!
No!
Since McAvennie’s comments, Son has recently declared himself fit for the tournament, so it certainly seems as far as Tottenham are concerned, the South Korean will be back to his best before too long.
While Spurs could have done with the £190k-per-week ace, it is at least encouraging to hear that he may well be fit to represent his country in Qatar.
Son is South Korea’s all-time leading goalscorer with 35 goals and will be hoping to add to that tally in his third consecutive appearance at a World Cup.
As captain of the Taegeuk Warriors, the 30-year-old is the talisman and netted twice at the 2018 edition of the tournament, including once in a memorable win over then-holders Germany.
The 105-cap ace’s availability will be huge but it remains to be seen how his recent injury will affect his performances.