Team news ahead of Southampton - Dier, Skipp, Tanganga still out

There’s no change on the injury front for Antonio Conte with Eric Dier, Oliver Skipp and Japhet Tanganga all unavailable for our Premier League clash at home to Southampton on Wednesday evening (7.45pm).

All three missed our FA Cup win against Brighton on Saturday - Dier with a recurrence of a thigh issue, Skippy out with a groin problem and Japhet picking up a knee injury at Chelsea on 23 January.

Speaking to us after training on Tuesday, Antonio said: “Dier had the same problem three weeks ago, played against Chelsea, it’s not a serious problem but you know very well when you have the same injury in the same place you have to be careful. I hope to see him very soon, five days, one week maximum.”

Antonio spoke further on Eric in his pre-match press conference. “It’s a little muscular problem in his thigh," he said. "It’s not serious, but the problem is in the same place as last time, so, for this reason, we have to have a bit of patience and not take any risks.”

Meanwhile, on Skippy, Antonio added: “We need to have a bit of patience with him. Skippy is another player I have seen great improvement from, a young player with a lot of space for improvement. It’s a pity now he’s not available, but I hope very quickly to have him with the squad.”

Asked if new arrivals Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski were ready to start after making their debuts off the bench against Brighton, Antonio responded: “They are working very well. I’m pleased in the way they are understanding our way of football. For sure, they need a bit of time to understand our tactical aspects defensively and offensively, but I’m very pleased because I know I can count on them.”