Team news ahead of Palace - Antonio's latest on Kulusevski
Tue 03 January 2023, 13:45|
Tottenham Hotspur
Antonio Conte hasn’t ruled out Dejan Kulusevski returning to action against Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Wednesday evening (8pm).
The Sweden forward was a late withdrawal from our New Year’s Day clash against Villa after picking up a muscle injury in training on Saturday.
Speaking exclusively to SPURSPLAY on Tuesday, ahead of the trip to Selhurst Park, Antonio told us: “He’s 50-50, we have a day and a half to make the right evaluation. For sure, it’s up to the player, the decision, because if his feeling is good, is positive, he can start to play. Otherwise, we won’t take a risk.
“Otherwise, it’s another chance for Bryan Gil. He is one of the young players that we are working on, a really good prospect, players who have a brilliant future. I’m talking Gil, Skippy, Pape Sarr, Spence, Sessegnon, also, Emerson is only 23, Harvey White, players who are growing.”
For sure, it’s up to the player, the decision, because if his feeling is good, is positive, he can start to play. Otherwise, we won’t take a risk.
Speaking in his pre-Palace press conference, Antonio said on Deki: “We have to monitor him day by day, then take the best decision. We have today and tomorrow to check the injury, and if the player gives his availability, he could play.”
Yves Bissouma is suspended for Selhurst Park after picking up a fifth yellow card of the season against Villa on New Year’s Day.
Antonio also gave an update on Rodrigo Bentancur and Richarlison. “Rodrigo has started to work, he’s still not ready, but hopefully he’ll be ready for our next game in the Premier League (Arsenal on 15 January),” he said. “Richarlison, we have to see. For sure, in the future he will have another MRI (scan) to understand his situation.”
