Tottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung-min plays down injury scare

Tottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung-min is seemingly hopeful that he did not suffer a significant injury against West Ham United on Thursday night.

The 31-year-old has been an ever-present in the starting lineup under Ange Postecoglou in Premier League fixtures, contributing nine goals and two assists from 15 appearances.

However, the South Korea international has netted just once in his last five games and again drew a blank in a 2-1 defeat versus the Hammers.

Spurs had led through a Cristian Romero header but goals from Jarrod Bowen and James Ward-Prowse saw West Ham pull off the turnaround at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Postecoglou would have been reliant on Son instigating a revival during the closing stages, only for his star man needing to be withdrawn in the 87th minute.

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When he sat down on the substitutes' bench, Son appeared to be in some pain as he was attended to by the club's medical staff.

Nevertheless, Son has given two updates on his condition, initially to the Spurs media team, saying: "I had a big kick on my back, in the back of the bone, so we'll see. I haven't had time to assess it so we'll see what happens.

Later speaking to The Express, Son attempted to reassure Spurs fans by saying: "No, I'm okay. I'm okay. Let's see."

There is just a three-day turnaround before Spurs return to action in the Premier League, playing host to Newcastle United on Sunday evening.

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With Spurs having now gone five matches without success, Postecoglou will be eager for Son to be available as they head into a potentially-pivotal game in the context of their season.

Despite sitting at the top of the Premier League table at one stage, Spurs are now nine points adrift of leaders Arsenal and just three points above ninth-placed West Ham.

Furthermore, there is just a one-point advantage over their next opponents, who themselves suffered defeat on Thursday night as they went down by a 3-0 scoreline at Everton.

As a result of Manchester United hosting Bournemouth and Brighton & Hove Albion squaring off against Burnley a day earlier, it is possible that Spurs and Newcastle could begin Sunday in seventh and eighth place respectively.