Ange Postecoglou has explained his decision to substitute Tottenham captain Heung-min Son early in the second half of Sunday’s 4-1 win against Aston Villa.
Son was taken off after just 56 minutes on his comeback from injury.
The South Korean had just set up a Spurs equaliser for Brennan Johnson and appeared surprised to be being replaced.
He then looked frustrated as he sat on the bench in the second half.
Son had missed seven of the previous eight Spurs games and he had been absent since the 4-1 win over West Ham on October 19 due to a hamstring issue.
Speaking after the Villa win, Postecoglou said: “He was never going to play more than 55 minutes.
“Last time he came back from injury he got to the 60-minute mark and got injured again. He got through unscathed.”
Postecoglou also hailed Dominic Solanke after his brilliant late double.
“Unbelievable effort,” said Postecoglou. “The work he did midweek against [Manchester] City… his goals are unbelievable but his general play, his work-rate, I can't speak highly enough of him.
Postecoglou also praised James Maddison, who put the gloss on a big Spurs win with a sublime free-kick after coming off the bench.
Postecoglou said: “The game was not going the way it had to go for me to bring Madders on. I say to the guys they are all there to make a contribution. Madders will be key for us.”
