Why Son Heung-min won't play for Tottenham against AZ Alkmaar

Tottenham Hotspur coach Ange Postecoglou confirmed that club captain Son Heung-min will not take part in the midweek UEFA Europa League clash against AZ Alkmaar.

The 32-year-old striker recently returned from a hamstring injury sustained in Tottenham's first Europa League game of the season against Qarabağ FK.

Son missed Tottenham's games against Manchester United, Ferencváros and Brighton & Hove Albion before returning after the international break in October with a goal against West Ham United.

Ahead of Tottenham's clash against AZ, Postecoglou explained that the club already planned to rest him after he played 70 minutes in the 4-1 win against West Ham.

“Sonny was a bit sore after the weekend, he was never going to be there tomorrow anyway because he was missing a bit,” said Postecoglou. “So we'll leave him outside tomorrow and see how he does.”

Postecoglou could call on Timo Werner to start in Son's absence. Werner started in the three games he missed and provided an assist in the defeat at Brighton.

While 17-year-old Mikey Moore showed composure in his start against Ferencváros, AZ are the strongest team Spurs have faced in Europe so far and Postecoglou could look to substitute him in Werner's place later in the game.

Son has been in strong form for Spurs this season, scoring three goals and two assists in six Premier League games. He hopes to be back in action for his team's trip to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace this weekend.

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