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'Son could miss entire season'

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Seen above is Son Heung-min's Instagram post on Saturday. / Yonhap
Seen above is Son Heung-min's Instagram post on Saturday. / Yonhap
By Jhoo Dong-chan

Tottenham Hotspur winger Son Heung-min concluded the team's crucial English Premier League (EPL) football league match victory against Aston Villa 3-2 with a last-gasp winner, Feb. 16.

The dramatic victory boosted the London team's position to just one point behind fourth-placed Chelsea in the EPL, but was considered to be bittersweet as the team has said recently that Son suffered a fracture to his right arm during the game at Villa Park and requires an operation.

Numerous British media outlets reported that it will take about eight weeks for Son to return to the pitch, but former South Korean national football team doctor Chung Tae-seok said it could take longer than that.

"Players can usually resume daily activities in six weeks, but this does not mean they can immediately return to the pitch," he said. "It usually takes about 12 weeks for a fracture to fully heal."

Another medical expert it could take even longer.

"It is a fracture to his right radius. Son suffered exactly the same injury during the World Cup qualification match against Qatar three years ago," said the expert who asked not to be named.

"I understand he returned after spending two months in rehab at that time. It takes longer for a full recovery if a player suffers the same injury twice. It could even traumatize the player's performance in the future. The rehab should run parallel with psychotherapy. He might want to return to the team as soon as possible, but this time he really should take it slow."

One of Son's acquaintances said he came back to Korea Wednesday to undergo surgery at a specialist orthopedic clinic Friday.

"The fracture is about two centimeters up from his previous injury three years ago. It was partial fracture. It was lucky he didn't suffer a complete fracture," he said.

Tottemham Hotspur head manager Jose Mourinho also displayed skepticism about the potential for a quick recovery.

When a reporter asked him during a press conference Tuesday if he believes Son could return before the season ends Mourinho said, "I don't. He could play one or two games as he (Tottenham Hotspur's PR official) hopes. I hope he's right," adding, "In my mind, I am thinking about that."

Son's departure left Mourinho short of options in the team's attack ― with striker Harry Kane also ruled out through injury _ in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 match against RB Leipzig.

With a lack of attack options in the team's reserves, Tottemham lost 1-0 to the German team led by Julian Nagelsmann, Wednesday.




Jhoo Dong-chan jhoo@koreatimes.co.kr


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