HONG KONG: Spurs defender Jan Vertonghen faces a race to be fit for the start of the season after injuring his ankle in the 3-1 loss to Sunderland yesterday in Hong Kong.
A Tottenham side already without Gareth Bale also injured lost the influential Belgian international shortly after he came on as a substitute when he fell awkwardly on the wet surface.
The friendly, part of the Barclays Asia Trophy, had been delayed 30 minutes because of torrential rain at Hong Kong Stadium and each half was only 40 minutes long.
Sunderland will play Manchester City in the final after City defeated local side South China 1-0 in the later game to give Manuel Pellegrini his first victory as manager.
“He might have sprained ligaments in his ankle so we obviously need the MRI (scan) to know the full extent of the injury,” Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas said of the loss of Vertonghen.
“He has some range of movement, which gives us some indication that probably it may not be too long.”
Asked if Vertonghen, would be back for the start of Spurs’ season that begins on August 18, the former Chelsea coached added: “Depends on the extent (of the injury) from the MRI.” AFP
