The 3 key battles as Tottenham host Southampton this afternoon

Son Heung-min v Maya Yoshida

Harry Kane’s ankle ligament injury he sustained in the 6-0 thrashing of Millwall last weekend will open the door for one Tottenham front man to lead the line against Southampton.

And it’s looking likely to be Son Heung-min who gets the nod after his impressive hat-trick against the Lions on Sunday.

The South Korean international took his tally to 14 for the season with a fine trio against Neil Harris’ men, and although Vincent Janssen netted his first goal from open play for the club, Son’s prior exposure to the Premier League and decent form at the start of the campaign makes him favourite to get the starting berth.

If that’s the case, he’ll be up against Saints’ Maya Yoshida, who is currently the number one centre-back at the club following the injury to Virgil van Dijk, and the departure of Jose Fonte to West Ham.

The 28-year-old has been supremely consistent throughout his four and a half year spell at St Mary’s, and although he hasn’t always been first choice, he has always done a job for the team when called upon.

Yoshida is aerially very strong and will probably dominate Son in that area on Sunday, but the Spurs man has a good turn of pace and likes of cut inside, which could spell trouble for the Saints if Yoshida is left exposed to the 24-year-old.

Nonetheless, how well Yoshida defends against Son will be vital if Southampton are to get anything from their visit to North London.