‘Does restrict him’… Ange Postecoglou reveals £70k-per-week Tottenham player is playing with an injury

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Ange Postecoglou has revealed Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Pape Matar Sarr is currently playing through a back issue.

The Senegalese youngster did not make Ange Postecoglou’s starting XI on Saturday for the game against Crystal Palace.

However, he did feature as a late substitute at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, replacing Timo Werner.

Is Pape Matar Sarr injured

Having played such a prominent role in the starting XI this season, it may have surprised some to see the 21-year-old miss out on Saturday.

Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur were given the nod ahead of him by the Australian manager.

But the reasoning behind the decision was made clear after the game when a journalist noticed Sarr looking in some discomfort after full-time.

Postecoglou was questioned on the matter in his press-conference, to which he responded: “He’s had a bit of a back issue since he got back from sort of the Africa Cup of Nations.

“He’s been dealing with it and it’s getting better but it’s not sort of totally free, so it’s something we’re working on with him. It doesn’t stop him training, he’s still been training, but it does restrict him, it’s something we’re constantly working on but from what I understand he’ll be fine. Like I said he hasn’t missed training so it’s just something we’re working on with him.”

Pape Matar Sarr contract

Despite this being the first season where he has been handed a real opportunity at Spurs, Sarr has impressed massively.

Many will remember that night at the San Siro where the 21-year-old shone against AC Milan, only to then see Antonio Conte give him the cold shoulder.

However, under the Australian manager, Sarr has been awarded with a regular spot in the starting XI.

And his displays for the Lilywhites has even seen Spurs already reward him with a new £70k-per-week deal which will see his stay through until 2030.

Midfield is an area which Spurs have solid options to choose from, so an injury to Sarr could be dealt with.

But the youngster has been in sensational form which has seen Postecoglou label him “brilliant“.

He would certainly be a big miss from the team, but Spurs will not want to risk him making this issue any worse than it already is.