Son Heung-min admitted that he "felt pain" during South Korea's World Cup qualifier against Singapore as Tottenham's fitness concerns mount up.
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Son scored in Korea's 5-0 routBut sustained a knee knockForward downplayed the severity of the injuryWHAT HAPPENED?
The 31-year-old forward was on target during Korea's 5-0 rout of Singapore. However, he was in some pain after he was at the receiving end of a knock to his right knee which was concerning for coach Jurgen Klinsmann. Although he went to play until the final whistle, he did reveal that his feet went numb in pain after the tackle.
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Speaking to reporters after the match, Son said: “We are making a team for the World Cup, I can’t give up a game just because I feel pain."
“If I can’t run anymore, then I can’t do anything about it but when I can run, I have to give 100 per cent for the team. I am fine now, I don’t like to lie down [on the pitch] in the winter," he added.
"At that moment [when he went down] I couldn’t feel anything on my foot. I’m fine, no injury. I am not the only one hurting out there. Everyone plays with some bumps and bruises.”
GettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Ange Postecoglou's men started the season very well until they succumbed to successive defeats to Chelsea and Wolves this month which knocked them off the perch of the league table. Moreover, their injury concerns continue to mount up as apart from Son, goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has also left the Italian national team after he complained of flu symptoms. The duo joins a lengthy list of players in the Spurs' treatment room which already has several prominent names like James Maddison, Micky Van de Ven, Richarlison, Ryan Sessegnon, Manor Solomon, Alfie Whiteman and Ivan Perisic.
WHAT NEXT FOR SON AND TOTTENHAM?
Son will continue his journey with South Korea in the World Cup qualifiers when they face China in Shenzhen on Tuesday. After fulfilling his international commitments, he will return to England and will take on Aston Villa on November 26 in a Premier League fixture.