Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou hailed a captain’s display from Son Heung-min after a 3-2 win at Hoffenheim before he revealed the club’s latest injury blow, with Dominic Solanke ruled out until March.
A brace from Son in Germany fired Spurs to a much-needed victory after a run of five defeats from their previous eight matches.
Postecoglou was without 14 players for the Europa League clash due to a combination of injuries and ineligibility, with Solanke one of those sidelined after he sustained a knee issue in training last Saturday.
When asked how long the £ 65 million are expected to be out, Postocoglou admitted: “With Dom, the data is now that we are around the six -week brand.
“No surgery. Maybe we can get him back a little bit sooner, see how he progresses, at this point, he says about six weeks. “
While Postecoglou was able to hand the recently fit-again Richarlison his first start since October, Solanke’s prolonged absence is a hammer blow, especially with crucial Carabao Cup and FA Cup fixtures to come in February.
A valuable victory in Hoffenheim means that Tottenham avoids the perspective of more parties in February, with a Beatened end of the almost guaranteed Europa League, sending them directly to the last phase of March 16.
Vice captain James Maddison, Postcoglou’s first senior figure, to interfere with a third-minute opening adjustment before the playmaker in England played on his son to fireplace in the house via a stoppage after 22 minutes.
Hoffenheim rallied and reduced the deficit in the 68th-minute through Anton Stach, but Son seemed to ensure there would be no dramatic finale with a fine finish nine minutes later.
I could not speak highly enough of the players carrying us through
David Mokwa’s 88th-minute header did make Tottenham sweat before they sealed a fourth triumph in Europe with five teenagers on the pitch at full-time after academy graduates Mikey Moore, Callum Olusesi and Will Lankshear were sent on to join starting duo Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall.
“I thought Sonny led from the front tonight with his football but also with his general actions and most importantly the goals,” Postecoglou said.
“Look, we are all hitting at this time. That is the nature of the beast. What we are doing, as soccer players and managers, we are all in the shooting line at this time. Whether it is justified or not, you will have to Stop and answer correctly.
“I idea Madders was exceptional tonight. These players are exhausted, Guy. These are professional players that are only 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, which they are looking for at this time. All. They give everything.
“He discarded the fact that he had five teenagers. We are a Premier League team that plays in a game outside of Europe and we had five teenagers there.
“It’s pretty unheard of in a big game, a dead rubber and it shows the burden that those guys are willing to face themselves unapologetically.
“I could not communicate enough about the players who send us. They will get help, hopefully some players return.
“We are in a real good position in Europe. Get to the knockout rounds home and away, get our players back and we will back ourselves against anyone.”
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