Tottenham Hotspur’s upcoming fixture against Crystal Palace has taken a significant blow, with boss Ange Postecoglou confirming that a “very strong” player will be missing from the team. Alongside this setback, star winger Son Heung-min is also being treated with caution, with his availability for the match uncertain.
Tottenham’s gritty 2-1 win over AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League on Thursday night see them claim a second consecutive victory following their impressive 4-1 thrashing of West Ham last weekend. This turnaround in form has put the Lilywhites in a more positive light, following their disappointing 3-2 loss to Brighton before the international break.
The trip to Selhurst Park promises to be a stern test for Postecoglou’s side, with Crystal Palace’s new manager Oliver Glasner under pressure to secure his first win of the season. Richarlison and Wilson Odobert will both be available for selection, having made progress in their respective comebacks from injuries. However, it is a different story for Son, who has not been cleared to train and is therefore unlikely to make an appearance on Sunday.
“Sonny is still not right or feeling 100 per cent,” Postecoglou stated in his press conference. “He won’t train today and so unlikely for the weekend and we’ll see how he is beyond that.”
Another absentee for Sunday’s fixture will be right-back Djed Spence, who has been sidelined with a groin injury. While his absence is likely to persist, the 22-year-old is not expected to be out for long. Spence has been praised for his recent form, earning a new deal at Spurs and making a strong push for a regular spot in the squad.
Postecoglou emphasized the importance of his players taking control of their own futures, highlighting Spence’s determination to prove himself at Tottenham. “He did everything right in training, his attitude was great. He’s a good footballer, I think the way we play suits him and he’s knuckled down to that. And he’s earned himself a spot on the roster in our squad,” he said. “The rest is up to him again. Because it’s an easy decision for me to make when I see that. Like I said, sometimes footballers think their fate is in other people’s hands. For the most part, it’s in their own. If they’re doing well and doing everything right, the future tends to take care of itself, whether that’s where you currently are or you move on.”
