Tottenham boss Antonio Conte is confident Son Heung-min will be fit for the World Cup after the South Korean forward had surgery for a serious facial injury. The Spurs star sustained a fracture around his left eye during their 2-1 win at Marseille last week when he collided with Chancel Mbemba.
The South Korean skipper and talisman had surgery on Friday and is in a race to be fit for the Qatar World Cup, which starts on November 20. “I sent him a message yesterday after the surgery and Sonny was really, really disappointed for this situation,” Conte told reporters after Son missed Spurs’ 2-1 home defeat to Liverpool on Sunday.
“But I hope for him he will recover very well and play in the World Cup. “I was a player and I know the importance of playing in the World Cup. I am confident, confident that he can come back quickly and play the World Cup for South Korea,” the Italian coach said.
The 30-year-old Son is critical to South Korea’s chances of making it to the knockout stages at the World Cup, having scored 35 goals in 104 internationals. South Korea begin their campaign in Qatar against Uruguay on November 24 and also face Ghana and Portugal in Group H. Son shared last season’s Premier League golden boot with Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.

Uruguay, Barca will decide on Araujo’s fitness for WC, says Xavi
Barcelona and Uruguay will take a joint decision on Ronald Araujo’s fitness as the defender looks to recover in time for the World Cup later this month, the La Liga club’s manager Xavi Hernandez said Araujo has been recovering after undergoing thigh surgery in September.
Xavi said the priority is for the 23-year-old to recover well rather than rush him back.
“There is fluid communication with Uruguay and (their coach) Diego Alonso and we will decide together,” Xavi told reporters. “We will see if he is medically cleared because the player is in charge. If he tells you he is well, it is because his body feels that way.”
Alonso, who has until Nov. 14 to name his final 26-man squad for the World Cup, will also check on Valencia striker Edinson Cavani to assess whether he can recover from an ankle injury in time for the trip to Qatar. Full back Damian Suarez is also another worry after he limped off 10 minutes into Getafe’s 1-0 win at Elche last week. Uruguay kick off their World Cup campaign against Group H opponents South Korea on Nov. 24. They will also face Portugal and Ghana.