Spurs players will be returning from international duty in the coming days, and Ange Postecoglou will be holding his breath. The manager’s job could become significantly more difficult in the upcoming weeks despite the fact that his Spurs team is now leading the Premier League because to injuries and bans.

With Rodrigo Bentancur anticipated to be out for at least another four weeks, the Australian has already been operating without a crucial midfielder for the entirety of the season. But as Brennan Johnson, a recent summer acquisition from Nottingham Forest, fails to get fit after moving there, things have gotten much worse for the former Celtic manager.

Johnson has enjoyed the past two weeks off unlike several of his colleagues after Rob Page did not select him for Wales’ Euro 2024 qualifying matches. After both Son Heung-min and Cristian Romero suffered injuries just days before Tottenham was scheduled to play Fulham on Monday, Postecoglou could now be wishing that this wasn’t the case.

Both players already have a lengthy commute back to London, which is somewhat mitigated by the Monday night start time, but they will now need to be evaluated before it can be determined whether they are fit or not. Romero, who played the entire game in a victory over Paraguay on Friday, had to be substituted during Argentina’s 2-0 victory over Peru on Wednesday morning.

The 25-year-old played through the first half of the match after taking a knock early on, but was assisted off the field shortly after the interval after also receiving treatment and ice during halftime. Romero has begun every league game so far for Postecoglou, developing a commanding rapport with Micky van de Ven. However, if he doesn’t make a quick recovery, Romero’s streak of starting games might come to an end.

Son later said that he chose to continue playing with a niggle. “I discussed with the gaffer [Jürgen Klinsmann] and said I will play the game as I cannot forgive myself if I don’t play for Korea national team in front of Korean fans when I already return to Korea,” stated the player.

To find out the extent of Son’s problem before hosting Fulham, it will be necessary to wait.Though Johnson is a potential possibility to return, Postecoglou may already have the ideal substitute for him. “We and Tottenham have maintained excellent communication. Coach Page of Wale said of his choice not to pick the 22-year-old, “It’s about having mutual respect.

“He was never going to play the whole 90, we were always going to give him an hour or so but he led from the front again and he was the one doing the pressing. He got his goal as well so great captain’s effort.”

However, the son later admitted that he chose to continue playing despite having a pain. “I discussed with the gaffer [Jürgen Klinsmann] and said I will play the game as I cannot forgive myself if I don’t play for Korea national team in front of Korean fans when I already return to Korea,” he told reporters.

Prior to hosting Fulham, it will be necessary to wait to determine the seriousness of Son’s problem.Though Johnson is a potential possibility to return, Postecoglou might already have the ideal substitute for him. “We and Tottenham have had excellent contact. Regarding his choice to not pick the 22-year-old, Wale coach Page remarked that it was important to have respect for one another.

“Both managers want a talented player fit so it’s about working together. I’m not going to insist that he has to come away and we’re going to play him, jeopardise his safety and health.

“I wouldn’t do that. But they also understand the importance of our games. We’ve had great conversations with them, but ultimately his injury will dictate whether he can meet up or not.”

It is not believed that Johnson’s injury is really serious. Bryan Gil, who was a substitute against Luton, is now back in the running. Ivan Perisic, Manor Solomon, and Ryan Sessegnon are all long-term problems.