The Premier league clock is ticking down. It is now just six days until this latest cursed international break is behind us and the real business gets re-started with the much – anticipated visit of old enemy Tottenham Hotspur to London Stadium for the North / East London derby that promises so much.
West Ham United have their own ‘will he – won’t he’ injury saga with Niclas Fullkrug still not seen ‘live in the flesh’ and training, whilst ‘sources’ claim he will be on, or close to, the bench for that game. You know my opinion on that. Unlikely.
Tottenham coach Postecoglou already more or less admitted Brazilian Richarlison wasn’t fit, adding, at the end of September, when speaking to the Standard: “[Richarlison] is a fair way off, I think you should stop asking me about him until I say I’ve got an update. He’s still not training with the first team.”
Spurs also a similar ‘will he-won’t he’ saga with their talisman and captain, Heung-min Son who has been sidelined with a thigh injury.
For the latest prognosis and chances of him playing we looked at Tottenhamhotspurnews.com and the opinion they’ve quoted of Dr Rajpal Bar, who suggests the injury whilst not serious, means his recovery needs careful managing at 32 years of age.” “He will need to pass a late fitness test and his playing the full 90 minutes will depend on how he trains”. As the Spurs fan news site says: ‘Even if he does not start the next two games and can only come off the bench, it makes sense rather than gambling on a start right away.’
Quite. At 32 years old you’d expect his return to be managed rather than just having him flung back into action with so many games still to come in the Premier League. Bad news for Spurs, good news if you’re a Claret and Blue supporter eager for a win over the arch rivals.
So, likely he’ll only be a bit part player then, along with Richarlison who is pretty much ruled out for the clash with West Ham.
If West Ham can carry their ‘Ipswich Town’ form forward for the visit of their rivals, it is a mouthwatering encounter in the making. Still, though, the small matter of Spuds’ newest Striker Dominic Solanke looking to prove his price tag of £65 million. So, let’s not get too carried away just yet.