Soccer-'Kind of the way our season has gone,' says Spurs' Postecoglou after Sarr injury

Soccer Football – Premier League – Tottenham Hotspur v AFC Bournemouth – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain – December 31, 2023 Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou celebrates after the match Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs

(Reuters) – Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou said he is hoping Pape Matar Sarr’s injury is not too serious after the midfielder came off in tears during their 3-1 win over Bournemouth, casting doubts on his availability for Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Spurs closed the gap on the top four of the Premier League to one point with the victory against an in-form Bournemouth side on Sunday, but the injuries at north London showed no signs of easing.

While midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur’s early return from injury was a welcome sight for Postecoglou, he is hoping the 21-year-old Sarr does not add to the list of injured players at the club, which includes the likes of James Maddison, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Ivan Perisic and Ryan Sessegnon.

Sarr was on the scoresheet against Bournemouth alongside captain Son Heung-min and Richarlison.

“Pape felt his hamstring and he’s emotional because he wants to go away with his national team. It’s a big tournament for them,” Postecoglou told reporters.

“It’s kind of the way our season has gone. He was so good again early in the game, apart from his goal, and then he gets an injury.

“Disappointing for him, but I am hoping it is not too serious and he can still go away and contribute to his country.”

Sarr later said on Instagram, “More fear than evil, see you for the CAN.”

The AFCON will take place from Jan. 13 to Feb. 11 in the Ivory Coast.

Argentine striker Alejo Veliz, 20, also came off injured at the Vitality Stadium. Postecoglou said he is not yet aware of the extent of the injury.

“Alejo was in a lot of pain and we’d already done our substitutions so we were trying to get it out to him to just lay down so we can get him off,” the Australian added.

“But it just shows the character of the boy because he knew we had no more substitutions and he just wanted to keep going.”

Spurs next host promoted Burnley in the third round of the FA Cup on Friday.

(Reporting by Pearl Josephine Nazare in Bengaluru; Editing by Kim Coghill)