Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Jose Mourinho provides promising injury update on Heung-min Son and Gareth Bale
Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho has two more games before the international break.
Mourinho says Bale is ‘one of top players in Europe’
Jose Mourinho has hinted both Heung-min Son and Gareth Bale could return from injury for Tottenham earlier than first thought. Spurs have had the busiest schedule of any Premier League team to start the season so far due to their commitments in the Europa League qualifying stage.
Mourinho has had to fully utilise his squad depth having already played six games in little over two weeks.
New summer signings Matt Doherty, Sergio Reguilon and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg have already established themselves as regulars in the starting line-up.
But Bale joined having already suffered an injury on international duty with Wales.
It was initially feared that Bale may not be available until November due to the knee injury.
JUST IN: Chelsea star refused to play against Spurs in bid to force transfer
However, Mourinho has suggested the 31-year-old could well be in contention to make his second debut for the club in the game against West Ham after the international break.
"Bale cannot play tomorrow or at the weekend," he added.
"Working very hard and very professionally, but not yet for tomorrow or this weekend.
"I believe the two weeks of international will be important for his fitness and recovery to be back for the weekend after. We'll see."
DON'T MISS
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp urged to consider Tottenham transfer raid
Frank Lampard gives blunt answer to Antonio Rudiger transfer question
Tottenham must back Mourinho with new signing or face Man Utd issue
Possibly more pressing for Mourinho is the return of Son, who went off with a hamstring injury in the controversial draw against Newcastle at the weekend.
The Tottenham boss was downbeat when talking about Son's injury after the game, stating the South Korea international will be "out for a while".
But the injury may not be as worse as first feared with Mourinho claiming Son could well make his return on Sunday against Manchester United.
"Sonny of course is not playing tomorrow," he said.
"He's a doubt for Sunday, a big doubt.
"I don't want to say he doesn't play and then he does because my position is in doubt."
First up for Tottenham is a crucial Europa League third-round qualifier against Maccabi Haifa.
The winners of the contest will go through to the group stage, with both Arsenal and Leicester already in the hat for Friday's draw.