According to Jay Harris, Tottenham Hotspur's correspondent for The Athletic, Spurs captain Heung-Min Son was absent from training on Wednesday morning, just a day before their Europa League clash against AZ Alkmaar.
It's uncertain whether Son has picked up a new injury or if the club is simply managing his workload, especially since he’s only played once since the injury he sustained in the Europa League matchday one win over Qarabag. Ideally, manager Ange Postecoglou might not have planned to use Son heavily tomorrow night anyway. Although AZ Alkmaar poses a stronger challenge than Qarabag, it was during Europa League action that Son’s initial injury occurred, which led to him missing three weeks of football. Given his age and the demands on his body, two games per week might not be the best approach.
Mikey Moore impressed in the last Europa League game against Ferencvaros, and this match could have been an excellent chance to give him a start on the left, his more natural position.
If Postecoglou was already planning to rest Son or limit his minutes, missing a day of training might be routine. Son was unable to play the full 90 minutes against West Ham after his return, and ensuring that his hamstring is fully healed is a priority. Hopefully, it's just precautionary, and Postecoglou didn’t intend to play Son tomorrow. If it's something more serious, it could have significant implications for Spurs' Premier League campaign. For instance, it’s easy to imagine that their 2-0 lead at Brighton could have been extended with Son on the pitch, and his presence is vital for their league success.
Djed Spence also missed training, though he isn't part of Spurs' Europa League squad, so his absence is less concerning. Still, the hope is that it’s nothing serious and that he’ll be available for upcoming matches.
On a positive note, Wilson Odobert was in full training. While tomorrow’s game might come too soon for the young winger, the upcoming Europa League fixture against Galatasaray could provide him with a chance to make his mark.
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