Tottenham star Son Heung-min told to ‘deal with’ facial injury as South Korea prepare for crunch World Cup tie

International: Alan Hutton believes Tottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung-min will have to ‘deal with’ his facial injury

Former Tottenham Hotspur right-back Alan Hutton believes that Spurs and South Korean forward Son Heung-min should be able to ‘deal with’ his facial injury ahead of a crucial World Cup tie against Portugal on Friday (2 December).

The Korean sustained a fracture to his left eye socket in the first half during Spurs’ 2-1 win over Marseille in the Champions League final group stage game early last month.

Such an injury put doubts over the 30-year-old’s World Cup plans. However, the Korean talisman underwent surgery and has been playing with a protective face mask so far.

Now, Hutton while speaking to Football Insider gave his opinion on the mask having an impact on the Korean international’s game.

“It is definitely not ideal. A face injury, depending on how you feel, you can kind of deal with it. You have got the mask, it is not like you are carrying a hamstring, or a knee or ankle problem where you can’t run. At least it is not affecting physically his body. But you can still see the effects of it. His face looks relatively swollen.”

“Mentally it could be a block for him but I think he has dealt with it reasonably well… Is it affecting him? Probably a little bit but I think he is doing well with it so far.”

Son has started both games for his country in the tournament this year. The 30-year-old is yet to register a goal or an assist in the World Cup.

He has struggled for form this season at Spurs too. Last season’s Golden Boot winner, the Korean has only scored five goals for the club in 19 games in all competitions this season.

But the 30-year-old will likely play the biggest game for his country tomorrow. South Korea are third on their table with one point. They have to beat Portugal and hope that results elsewhere go in their favour to have a chance of making it to the Round of 16.

The Tottenham forward will most likely lead his team out again tomorrow. He is yet to provide that spark for his country at this year’s World Cup and the game against Portugal could be the perfect one to do so.

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His tears after his team’s recent loss against Ghana showed that the feeling within their camp may be pessimistic going into the game against the 2016 UEFA Euros champions. But this is where the greats are manufactured – in big games against the best teams – and just one magical moment from our No. 7 could be the difference.