Son Heung-min reportedly damaged his fingers at the Asian Cup after getting into an altercation with a South Korea team-mate in a row over playing ping pong after dinner.
The Spurs captain returned from the Asian Cup last week after South Korea were knocked out in the semi-finals to Jordan.
He was straight back in the action for Tottenham in their league fixture against Brighton.
Ange Postecoglou brought Son on with 30 minutes left in the game and he played a key role in setting up Brennan Johnson for a dramatic late winner.
But fans noticed that the South Korean forward had two of his fingers taped up during the match with no information originally given on what the issue was.
Son Heung-min wore tape on two fingers on his Tottenham return
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According to The Sun, Son ‘dislocated a finger’ after a bust-up with one of his compatriots at the Asian Cup.
It’s reported that Son was unimpressed when some younger members of the squad left dinner quickly to get on the ping pong table.
But South Korea captain Son is said to have been upset with the small group for leaving early and an altercation then broke out.
A source told The Sun: “The row erupted from nowhere.
“A few of the younger players ate very quickly and left the rest of the squad to play ping pong.
“Son asked them to come back and sit down when some disrespectful things were said to him.
“Within seconds players the row spilled into the dining area and players were being pulled apart.
“Son badly injured his finger trying to calm everyone down.”
South Korea’s defeat to Jordan was seen as a huge shock with Son’s side failing to register a single shot on target.
But Son’s early exit proved to be a blessing for Tottenham as their victory over Brighton moved them above Aston Villa into fourth.
Son Heung-min’s South Korea were knocked out of the Asian Cup last week
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Postecoglou said after the game: “Obviously Brighton were doing really well but they were working really hard to stay in the game.
“You know they’re going to get tired, the fact that we could bring on two attacking players who are going to be a threat.
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Son Heung-min helped Tottenham beat Brighton
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“It maybe looks simple but that ball that Sonny plays, that’s a world-class player in a clutch moment, finds the right pass, you can’t do that if you can’t bring him on, if it’s somebody else.
“Even Brennan getting on the far post, we’ve helped him to do that.
“It’s not about confidence… I feel like with the squad we have for today and hopefully moving towards, we do have that ability irrespective of where the game’s at, to finish games strong.”
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
