Heung-Min Son will undergo surgery to stabilize a fracture around his left eye after sustaining the injury in Tottenham’s 2-1 win against Marseille on Tuesday.
The South Korea striker suffered the injury in the first half of the comeback win in France, which ensured Spurs qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League as group winners.
Sunday, November 6 at 4:00 p.m. Opening at 4:30 p.m
Spurs have given no time frame for the 30-year-old’s return, with the World Cup starting on November 20. Tottenham take on Liverpool, live on Sky Sports Premier League, on Sunday.
A statement issued by the club on Wednesday evening read: “We can confirm that Heung-Min Son will undergo surgery to stabilize a fracture around his left eye.
“The South Korea international picked up the injury in the first half of Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League win at Olympique de Marseille.
“Following surgery, Son will begin rehabilitation with our medical staff and we will update fans further in due course.”
Spurs’ attacking options are currently depleted, with Dejan Kulusevski (hamstring) and Richarlison (shin) unavailable for selection.
Spurs games before the World Cup
Tottenham vs Liverpool, Premier League – Sunday 6 November; start at 16.30, live on Sky Sports
Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham, Carabao Cup – Wednesday 9 November; start 19.45 h
Tottenham vs Leeds, Premier League – Saturday 12 November; start at 3pm
Merson: Progress to the last 16 but needs to improve
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Paul Merson reacts to Tottenham’s late win in Marseille that sent them through to the last 16 of the Champions League as group winners.
Tottenham’s 2-1 victory in Marseille on Wednesday barely looked possible in the first 45 minutes as Spurs looked dazed and confused by their hosts’ relentless attack.
Spurs were a different proposition after the break and took control after Clement Lenglet’s equaliser. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg hit the crossbar for the visitors but Marseille should have scored late on when Sead Kolasinac somehow missed an open goal with a header.
Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson believes Tottenham will need to improve if they are to progress further in the competition after reaching the last 16.
“Spurs couldn’t put three passes together in the first half,” Merson told Soccer Special. “As soon as they started making more passes, the game opened up for them and they were a threat. They managed the game well.
“Tottenham did really well in the second half but when you get to the last 16 you can’t keep giving teams the lead. It will catch up with you sooner rather than later.
“When the shackles are coming off and the fear factor is out of the game, Spurs have good players who can move the ball very quickly. But they don’t, they sit back. Kane was literally 35 yards from his goal in the first half, they didn’t have an outlet, sometimes they have to take advantage, it’s too negative for me.
“You can’t keep giving teams advantages. They’ve been lucky in a couple of games like Bournemouth on Saturday and again today against an average team in Marseille.”
“Conte is very tired, he lived the game in the crowd”
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Tim Sherwood says results are papering over the cracks at Tottenham and that Antonio Conte needs to change the team’s mentality against the big teams.
Spurs’ place in the last 16 was not guaranteed until Hojbjerg won it with the last strike of the game to seal top spot in Group D.
With Marseille needing a win to go through and a defeat eliminating Spurs, it was a dangerous night for the Premier League side in a hostile environment in Provence.
Conte, who celebrates one year in charge on Wednesday, was forced to watch from the stands due to his red card following the VAR controversy against Sporting Lisbon last week, which meant the fate of Tottenham’s ranking came down to the final game.
And the Italian was put on the edge as his side put in a listless first-half display, deservedly falling behind to Chancel Mbemba’s header.
The second half was a different story, however, and Lenglet put Spurs back in control with a header of his own in the 54th minute.
But with Marseille needing just one goal to send them through, it was a nervy night until Hojbjerg’s late intervention. And it was not an evening that Conte enjoyed.
Cristian Stellini said: “I had the chance to talk to Antonio. He was very tired. He lived the game in the crowd, it’s not normal. Maybe he spent more energy in the stands than he normally spends on the line band
“The first half was very difficult. In the difficulties, we didn’t lose our heads. We stayed in the game. The goal we conceded was terrible because they took it quickly from a corner and we weren’t ready.
“It’s an important lesson for the future. But in the second half, something changed and we talked to the outfit about the energy we need in the second half and the way we have to press them and counter the game. In this type of games, stadium and this type of matches, a knockout, is not very easy.
“The stadium was very hot in the first half and sometimes it’s normal to give the opponent the chance to play, to use the energy you have in the second half. It can also be a strategy. We have to try to play all . the 90 minutes at the same level.”