Mourinho admits striker’s absence is a big blow; reveals team-mate is not ready to return

Jose Mourinho has admitted that the prospect of losing Heung-min Son for the festive period is a big loss for Tottenham Hotspur.

The South Korean was sent off during the second half of yesterday’s 2-0 defeat to Chelsea at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

A VAR review of his challenge on Antonio Rudiger deemed that the Spurs player had lifted his boot into the body of Antonio Rudiger with the German left on the floor clutching his stomach.

Referee Anthony Taylor was advised to show a red card based on violent conduct which subsequently has ruled Son out of the Premier League matches against Brighton, Norwich and Southampton.

Mourinho revealed during today’s press conference that Spurs have appealed the decision (Football.London) but claims that the squad is not big enough to cope.

The head coach also hinted that Erik Lamela, who has returned to training following a hamstring problem he picked up in October is not ready to return to competitive action, at least for the Brighton game.

He told Football.London: “It would be a big loss. We don’t have a big squad. We don’t have lots of players. This moment is a moment where it is normal to think about rotations and very difficult situations for players to play every game. We don’t have (Erik) Lamela and it’s a big loss for us. But if that happens then we have to try to cope with it and to fight against injustice. But the way to fight against injustice is to give our best and the boys that are going to play are going to try and get results in it.”

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