Heung-min Son ready to 'work hard' to save Tottenham career after cutting South Korea international duty short

(Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
Standard Sport6 September 2016

Heung-min Son is ready to battle for his Tottenham career after deciding to miss South Korea's World Cup qualifier against Syria on Tuesday in order to return to England.

Son has struggled to impose himself at Spurs signing signing from Bayer Leverkusen for £22million last summer, and has fallen further down the pecking order at White Hart Lane with the summer arrivals of Vincent Janssen and Moussa Sissoko.

The 24-year-old forward missed Spurs' first Premier League game after representing South Korea at the Rio 2016 Olympics, and was a transfer target for Wolfsburg before deciding against a quick return to the Bundesliga.

South Korea face Syria on Tuesday, but Son has been allowed to leave the Taegeuk Warriors' squad despite scoring in last week's 2018 World Cup qualifying win against China.

"Tottenham are the team I wanted to join and I know that I have to work hard and play my best," Son said. "I am in good condition and ready to go and play as well as I can.

"I am sorry to my national teammates and coach but I will support them and hope they get a good result against Syria."

Lamela is part of the Argentina squad who face a World Cup qualifier in Venezuela, which kicks off at 1am on Wednesday, UK time.

Tottenham's record signings

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Reports suggest he is likely to start as the team look to consolidate their advantage at the top of the South American group.

Spurs expect Lamela, who is now a key man for the club after a difficult start, back later on Thursday but he has a flight of at least 10 hours ahead after the game, leaving time for only one training session before the Stoke clash.

Son's return hands Pochettino more options, but Lamela's absence could also mean a full debut for new £30m signing Sissoko.

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