Son, your country needs you

Spurs lost star striker Harry Kane to an ankle injury, with the England international set to be sidelined for up to six weeks.

However, their attacking options could be further reduced if South Korea call up Son to participate in their military, compulsory by law in their country.

The two halfs of Korea are technically at peace. However, they never signed an agreement and tolerate each other's existence thanks to a fragile ceasefire, although border tensions can sometimes become unbearable.

It is because of these reasons that South Korea has in place a compulsory military service for all young people under the age of 28 and depending on which branch of the army you are assigned to, one can spend between 21 and 36 months away from civilian life.

The government are very strict in enforcing this law too, with only a privileged few dodging the dreaded military service.

One way to escape it is to be an elite athlete who brings success to South Korean sport. Nonetheless, this doesn't apply to Son as he plays for Tottenham in England's Premier League.

What could work in the forward's favour though, is if he can put on a good display for his country at the World Cup this summer, in which South Korea are in a 'Group of Death' with Germany, Mexico and Sweden.

His other option would be to participate in the Asian Games in August of this year, in which his country are defending champions. Four years ago, Son missed the tournament because Bayer Leverkusen did not grant him permission to play given that the competition clashes with the first few fixtures of the European season.

Tottenham could similarly rejected his desire to play too, however, it could be worthwhile to let one of their assests leave for one month instead of potentially losing him for two years.

Son wouldn't be the first player who has had to depart club football for compulsory military service. Ki Sung-yueng had to leave Swansea City in 2016 for South Korea meanwhile Albacete lost Israeli Ness Zamir for the same reason.