SPURS COACH ANTONIO CONTE TO REMIAN IN ITALY AFTER POST-SURGERY CHECK

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Following a post-op check following recent gallbladder surgery, Tottenham head coach Antonio Conte will stay in Italy with assistant Cristian Stellini assuming charge in his absence.

The Spurs manager was out on the sidelines for their 1-0 Champions League defeat at AC Milan on Tuesday and their 4-1 Premier League loss at Leicester last Saturday, but he has since returned to his home country.

Two weeks ago Conte had surgery to remove his gallbladder and subsequently missed the 1-0 win over Manchester City on February 5.

The Italian said on Instagram on Thursday afternoon following the announcement that he will be temporarily stepping away: “My great sense of responsibility towards the club, the players, the staff and the fans brought me to anticipate my comeback on field.

“Sadly I underestimated the procedure, which wasn’t a routine operation, but a sudden and serious emergency.

“My body has suffered my impatience and now I am forced to stop until my entire recovery.

“Who knows me, understands what a burden this is for me, but it is necessary. Come on you Spurs!”

Assistant Stellini had referenced the need for Conte to “take it easy” upon his return and the former Chelsea boss conceded he was not 100 per cent ahead of the midweek fixture in Milan.

Stellini, who has won two matches in charge of fifth-placed Spurs this season, will lead the team for Sunday’s London derby at home against West Ham