Tottenham captain Heung-min Son could be out of action for six weeks in the new year due to South Korea’s participation in the Asian Cup.
Spurs and the South Korean FA are in talks over a release date for the forward ahead of the tournament in Qatar, which runs from January 12 to February 10.
The current expectation is that Son will play for Tottenham against Bournemouth on New Year’s Eve before travelling to Abu Dhabi.
South Korea are holding a training camp in Abu Dhabi and playing a friendly there on January 6 before the Asian Cup starts.
Son will definitely miss Tottenham’s FA Cup third-round tie with Burnley on January 5 and their trip to Manchester United in the Premier League the following week. He would also miss a possible FA Cup fourth-round tie, should Spurs beat Burnley.
Depending on how far South Korea progress at the Asian Cup, the forward could also be absent for League games against Brentford, Everton and Brighton.
Son will be a big miss for Tottenham as he has been in fine form this season under new boss Ange Postecoglou.
The forward is Spurs’ top scorer this season with 10 goals, while he has also laid on four assists.
Tottenham have been hit hard by injuries recently and they are already without playmaker James Maddison, who is hoping to return to action in the new year.
Maddison injured his ankle during Spurs’ 4-1 loss to Chelsea last month. Centre-back Micky van de Ven injured his hamstring in the same game and is out until the new year too.
