Son Heung-min is back on the pitch for the first time since sustaining a fracture around his left eye in Tottenham's Champions League win over Marseille at the start of November. Starting the crucial game in the south of France, the 30-year-old was only on the field for 29 minutes after a clash with Chancel Mbemba.
Needing to undergo surgery to stabilise the fracture, questions marks were raised over his place in South Korea's squad for the World Cup in Qatar. With his home nation understandably sweating over his fitness given he is their main man, the player was confirmed in Paulo Bento's 26-man squad 11 days after sustaining the injury.
Needing to wear a protective mask in training as a result of the surgery, the Tottenham forward will continue to wear it during the tournament, including in Thursday afternoon's match against Uruguay. Captaining his side in their Group H opener, Son comes up against Spurs teammate Rodrigo Bentancur in the encounter at Education City Stadium.
