Wed 21 December 2022, 10:15
Tottenham HotspurAntonio Conte revealed that a number of players have been hit with a fever in the early part of this week.
The players include Oliver Skipp, Heung-Min Son and Djed Spence and that could affect their participation in this evening’s exhibition match against Ligue 1 side OGC Nice as we return to action at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the first time since our thrilling 4-3 win against Leeds United on 12 November.
WATCH SPURS v OGC NICE LIVE ON SPURSPLAY
Ben Davies, back in training after suffering an injury in Wales’ last group match in the World Cup on 29 November and Ryan Sessegnon, injured in our Carabao Cup exit at Forest on 9 November, could feature, and Antonio was hopeful Skippy would recover in time.
We’ve worked very well. We’ve used this period to improve our physical condition and the tactical aspect
Speaking to SPURSPLAY on Tuesday, Antonio explained: “For us, this could be a good game, but I have to be honest, we have some problems with some players, Sonny, in the last two days, didn’t have a training session because of a fever, the same with Skippy and Spence.
“I hope to recover Skippy for tomorrow, but today he didn’t train because he has a fever.
“It will be a good opportunity to see some young players and to give space, to give time to players who previously didn’t play a lot, like Bryan Gil, Harvey White, also Pape Sarr.
“It was good to have time to recover Ryan Sessegnon, he’s still not 100 per cent, but now he’s ready.”
Antonio gave us an update on Ben, Rodrigo Bentancur and Richarlison yesterday.
Meanwhile, as the world’s football focus was on events in Qatar, the squad has worked hard back at Hotspur Way as we prepare to return to Premier League action at Brentford on Boxing Day (12.30pm).
That included wins against Motherwell and Peterborough United Under-21s at the training centre.
Antonio added: “We exploited this period very well, especially for players like Oliver Skipp, Yves Bissouma, Matt Doherty, also for players who started to work with us later. I think we did a really good job with these players. I think we’ve worked very well. We’ve used this period to improve our physical condition and the tactical aspect.”
It wasn’t lost on Antonio that we’re back in action in five days! He said: “If it was today, I have a lot of headaches! I know we have days to recover the players and other players are coming back. I repeat, to manage this situation for every manager, especially for a manager who had many players involved in the World Cup, is not easy, because you find players in a different physical condition, but we have to play, and we must be ready.”
INEOS Grenadier is the Presenting Partner of tonight’s exhibition match against OGC Nice at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium…
