Tottenham guaranteed to miss three vs Sheffield United with Maddison update
Tottenham and Ange Postecoglou breathed a huge sigh of relief when players on international duty were drip-fed back into the squad at Hotspur Way throughout this week. With some of the squad’s biggest stars all tasked with performing big roles for their country, there were several moments of worry.
Son Heung-min, newly-appointed club captain, had been seen with a huge ice pack and heavy strapping to his knee after South Korea’s match with Wales last week which sparked concern that the forward might be a serious injury doubt ahead of the Premier League’s return. Son was swiftly back in action though, playing for his country once more days later against Saudi Arabia.
For Son, who often has some of the furthest distances to travel during an international break, his two games being played in Cardiff and Newcastle is a big boost for Postecoglou as the offset issues of jet lag and fatigue have less of a role to play. Having bagged a hat-trick last time, out he is sure to be central to his manager’s plans ahead of facing Sheffield United on Saturday.
Whereas Son’s travel was reduced, Cristian Romero did have a long way to go as he played against Bolivia and Ecuador during the fortnight away. Coming out on top in both, Romero had also been flagged as a potential injury doubt himself. That was another fear quickly resolved as he was seen back in training once again and then played at the heart of defence for the full 90 minutes for the second time in a week.
To round-off the three most important players so far, there is good news in the camp of James Maddison. After being fouled several times against Ukraine – sparking mini moments of panic for supporters watching on – August’s player of the month got through the clash in Poland and was then rested for the win over Scotland on Tuesday.
He has been seen back in training alongside his teammates, though Postecoglou’s intense demands looked to have taken their toll when he walked off the pitch looking shattered. At Hotspur Way there was another big positive as well with Uruguay star Rodrigo Bentancur back in the mix.
He was seen on the grass alongside his teammates for the first time since his damaging knee injury ruled him out for an extended period. Although Yves Bissouma, Pape Matar Sarr and Maddison have covered for him well, Bentancur is perhaps the most important of the lot when fully fit.
It was only an involvement in the warm-up, football.london understands, and the player has not returned to training fully. Instead, Bentancur went back to individual drills afterwards that were also caught on camera as he dribbled and passed to a coach on his own.
His appearance is some good news for the group, but Postecoglou has been coy on hinting at a return too quickly. “There’s not a defined [comeback date] but he is getting closer,” the Australian said earlier this month. “I think probably around November time, we’d be looking to reintegrate him into it. He’s ticking all the boxes so far. He’s really keen.
“He came to see me yesterday wanting to train and within a minute I had one of the medical team running behind him to collar him and drag him out. He’s definitely keen and it’ll be great to get him back because his contribution when he first came to the club was outstanding.
“In many respects he’ll be like another new signing for us, which is great but we won’t rush it. It’s obviously a significant injury so we’re probably looking around that timescale.”
Bryan Gil and Ryan Sessgnon are also not yet ready to return and continue to be out for an indefinite period themselves. Tottenham do have the core of their hugely impressive squad that has started the season so well ready and available, though.
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