Tottenham Hotspur assistant manager Cristian Stellini has admitted that he’s not expecting to see Antonio Conte return for next week’s London derby against his former club Chelsea.
The Spurs manager had his gallbladder removed after feeling severe abdominal pain at the end of January, and he was expected to miss a few games.
Conte was unexpectedly back at Hotspur Way after a week and managed his team to defeats to Leicester City and AC Milan earlier this month, despite the fact that he was still recovering from his surgery.
Conte was sent for a health check after Spurs’ Champions League loss to Milan last week, and he was recommended to stay in Italy with his family to continue his recuperation.
As a result, Stellini filled in for his compatriot in Sunday’s 2-0 triumph over West Ham, in which goals from Emerson Royal and Son Heung-min sent Tottenham into the top four of the Premier League table.
Stellini was asked about the possibility of Conte returning for Chelsea’s visit to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium next weekend at his post-game press conference, but he was pessimistic about the 53-year-old’s chances.
“No, I am not expecting Antonio is back for Chelsea but I expect Antonio will be back the week after Chelsea,” football.london quotes Stellini as saying.
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While watching from home, Conte saw Tottenham battle for chances in a dreary first half against West Ham, but full-backs Emerson and Ben Davies combined for the former to slot home early in the second half.
Spurs are now one point ahead of Newcastle United, despite having played one more game, and they can expand their advantage over the Magpies next weekend, when Eddie Howe’s side face Manchester United in the EFL Cup final.
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