Ange Postecogolou has delivered a mixed injury update on his Tottenham squad ahead of the second leg vs Bodo/Glimt
A UEFA Europa League second-leg tie against Bodo/Glimt at the Aspmyra Stadion on Thursday evening beckons for Tottenham Hotspur. However, injuries have started piling up at a crucial juncture once more.
Lucas Bergvall will probably miss the rest of the campaign with an ankle ligament injury after getting hurt during a training session earlier this month. Influential playmaker James Maddison has also been ruled out for the remaining Tottenham games, including the second leg at Bodo/Glimt and the potential Europa League final at the San Mames in Bilbao later this month, with a significant knee injury.
Maddison hurt his knee in the first-leg win over Bodo/Glimt at home last week, with the midfielder being forced off in the 65th minute. Dominic Solanke, too, suffered an issue that did not allow him to complete the game.
Spurs were sweating over the fitness of Dominic Solanke ahead of the second leg in Norway, but Ange Postecoglou gave a positive update on his striker during his pre-match presser on Wednesday afternoon. On the contrary, the Australian tactician gave a worrying injury update on his skipper Son Heung-min.
When asked whether Son Heung-min has travelled with the rest of the squad to Norway ahead of the big European fixture, Postecoglou told Football London:
“No [he hasn’t]. Dom is fine and ready to go, he’s trained with the team. Disappointing for Sonny. He has progressed and he’s a possibility to get minutes at the weekend but he hasn’t trained with the team yet.”
Son has been struggling with a foot injury of late, missing six games in the process. He was already ruled out of the first leg against Bodo/Glimt, but Ange was hopeful of having his skipper back in time the return leg in the Arctic circle. However, the Tottenham gaffer will have to make do without his talismanic forward again in midweek, undoubtedly for the biggest game of the club’s campaign thus far.
To not have Son for the trip to Bodo/Glimt is a big blow for the Lilywhites, even though the South Korean’s form and fitness levels have dipped this season. Having a seasoned campaigner like the 32-year-old forward in and around the squad would have benefited.
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In a positive update, fortunately, Solanke has recovered from his minor issue sustained last week and is raring to go on Thursday. The England international is certain to lead the Spurs attack, with Mathys Tel and Brennan Johnson causing problems for the hosts from wide areas.
It is going to be an incredibly tough game, and Ange’s boys have to be at their best to overcome the Norwegian side and punch their tickets for the Europa League final.