Tottenham captain Son Heung-min is “pushing hard” but set to miss out making his return from injury at Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on Sunday (4.30pm BST), Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou believes.
Son had been ever-present in the league before missing his side’s 3-0 win at Manchester United last Sunday, and he also missed the midweek Europa League win at Ferencvaros.
That means Germany forward Timo Werner could be in line for another start for Spurs, who have won five successive matches in all competitions.
Postecoglou said: “Sonny is unlikely, he’s pushing hard, but the turnaround might be too quick for him to be available at this stage.”
‘I’m sure he’ll be selected again’
James Maddison has been showing signs of getting back to his best after last season was hampered by injury, but the midfielder has not been selected in England’s squad for the upcoming matches against Greece and Finland.
Postecoglou says he is happy with Maddison’s form and is sure he can break his way back in.
He said: “I’m sure James is disappointed but he’s playing well, that’s all you can do.
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“These things come along at times, it’s not always perfect in your career, you can’t always get what you want.
“He’s playing well for us, he’s been outstanding all year and has made an impact in every game he plays.
“I’m sure he’ll be selected again but you can’t put everything in one basket or be disappointed or let it affect the way he’s playing because he’s been brilliant for us.”
Dejan Kulusevski has been moved inside to a more central role this season, with Maddison dropping deeper next to Rodrigo Bentancur.
Postecoglou talked up the impact of the 24-year-old Swede, adding: “Deki is doing great. He’s been out of this world in many respects as to what he’s able to do in a central role.
“We used him wide last year because we didn’t have too many options out there and that’s where he was comfortable in. We started using him inside and I felt he felt that it unshackled him a little bit.
“He has an unbelievable capacity to run on and off the ball, his physical numbers are ridiculous and he has the quality to hurt teams with that.”
