Soccer-South Korea’s Son to undergo surgery ahead of World Cup

LONDON (Reuters) -South Korea forward Son Heung-min’s World Cup participation could be in doubt as he will undergo surgery on a facial fracture, his club Tottenham Hotspur said on Wednesday.

Son, 30, was injured midway through the first half of Tottenham’s Champions League tie at Olympique de Marseille following an aerial clash with Chancel Mbemba.

He required lengthy treatment on the pitch before being substituted and walking unsteadily down the tunnel.

“We can confirm that Heung-Min Son will undergo surgery to stabilise a fracture around his left eye,” Tottenham said on their website.

“Following surgery, Son will commence rehabilitation with our medical staff and we shall update supporters further in due course.”

South Korea’s hopes at the World Cup which begins in less than three weeks rest heavily on Son who has scored 35 goals in 104 appearances for his country.

South Korea are in Group H with Portugal, Ghana and Uruguay.

Tottenham did not say how long Son is likely to be out of action but his injury is a big blow to Antonio Conte’s third-placed side who face Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday.

They were already missing forward Richarlison and winger Dejan Kulusevski.

(Reporting by Martyn Herman, editing by Ed Osmond)