Poch confident that Son is fit and raring to go
Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino says Son Heung-min is in “perfect condition” to start his season.
The South Korean is back in the fold after missing the first two games of the campaign due to suspension and he could start against Newcastle on Sunday.
His absence over the first few weeks of the season has allowed him to work hard in training and Pochettino hopes he can hit the ground running.
“I think he was training really, really hard to keep fit and improve in different areas,” the Argentinian said.
“We are happy that in the last few weeks he was unbelievable in the way he was available to train and compete in every single training session and I hope it’s going to help the team from now.
“I think it was a good opportunity for him to build his fitness and have a proper pre- season, which, sometimes when you’re involved in competition, is difficult.
“For him, looking at last season, which was really, really complicated for him and difficult, we used that situation and tried to be positive in helping him to get fit.
“But sometimes the priority is holidays and, this type of situation with him, it was clear that he was going to be suspended for two games, and the plan was to provide him with good quality training to improve in different areas and, when the moment comes and he is available to play, to be in the perfect condition.”
Spurs will be favourites to hand down a third successive defeat to Newcastle, which would add further pressure on Steve Bruce.
But Pochettino insists it is too early to judge.
“It is only the beginning, the Premier League is so tough and is so difficult,” he added. “I have a good relationship with Steve.
“We are going to play them, but it is only the beginning of the season. No one can be worried.
Bruce is confident £ 61- million strikeforce Joelinton and Miguel Almiron can form a partnership which will prosper in the Premier League.
Neither Brazilian Joelinton nor Paraguay international Almiron have yet found the back of the net for the club in a competitive game.
But Bruce and his staff have been working behind the scenes to establish a better understanding between them. He said: “Look, it’s new, it’s new for Joe, it’s new for four or five of the players.
“Some of them haven’t made their debut yet, some of them have only been here for two weeks.
“Given time, we hope that they can forge some sort of relationship, and I’m quietly confident.”