Tottenham superstar Son Heung-min hasn't played a game for the team since Apr. 10 in the first leg of the Europa League quarterfinals against Eintracht Frankfurt. There was optimism that the South Korean superstar could return for Spurs on Thursday against Bodo Glimt in the second leg of the semifinals, but Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has confirmed, via The Spurs Express, that the 32-year-old was unable to travel with the team.
Son missed Tottenham's 3-1 first leg win over Bodo Glimt, as Richarlison started on the left wing and Dominic Solanke played at striker. However, with James Maddison out for the rest of the season with a knee injury, Son being out against Bodo Glimt carries on a difference weight since it means Spurs will be without literally their two best players in the squad.
On the bright side, Son has been inching ever closer to his return. The fact that his absence tomorrow against Bodo Glimt feels like such a blow for Spurs is down to the optimism fans had from his improved progress at practice from what will now be a month-long foot injury.
Son Heung-min could return vs. Crystal Palace
Son had initially played through the pain, but after watching how badly he struggled against Frankfurt, Postecoglou and the club made the decision to shut him down. Now, Postecoglou is telling reporters that there is a chance the 32-year-old star left winger will be able to get some minutes this weekend due to the progress he's been making.
After facing Bodo Glimt in the Europa League, Tottenham will return to Premier League action on Sunday against Crystal Palace, who sit 12th in the table and are headed to the FA Cup Final against Manchester City. So Palace will be favored, and Son could make sense as a substitute in the second half if the game is close.
The Palace match would serve as a tune-up for Son, if he's healthy enough to make the bench, as the only other game before the Europa League Final on May 21 will be on May 16 against Aston Villa. Son would have to get some playing time against Crystal Palace and then significant minutes against Villa without any issues in order for the team to feel confident in him getting a start against, presumably, Manchester United with all the chips on the table.
So far, Son's injury hasn't been as big of a blow because of the way young loan acquisition Mathys Tel has stepped up on the left wing. Still, on a stage like the Europa League Final, it would be ideal to have Son back.