TOTTENHAM are hoping Antonio Conte will be back in the dugout for Saturday’s trip to Leicester after his successful gallbladder surgery.
Boss Conte missed the 1-0 win over Manchester City last Sunday as he recuperated in his native Italy having been treated for cholecystitis.
ReutersAntonio Conte has been battling with illness in recent days[/caption]
But on the day Spurs were rocked by the news keeper Hugo Lloris is set to miss the next two months with a knee injury, Conte flew back to London and hopes to be at the King Power Stadium.
Assistant Cristian Stellini took charge against City with first-team coach Ryan Mason, as Harry Kane scored his 267th Spurs goal to break Jimmy Greaves’ all-time club record.
Stellini said: “We lost Antonio. Hopefully he’ll be back next week. He’ll be back happy now.”
Conte, 53, posted on Instagram last week: “Thank you for your lovely messages. My surgery has gone well and I’m already feeling better.
“Now time to recover. Can’t wait to get back on the field with the team.”
Meanwhile, it has been revealed that Tottenham captain Lloris suffered a knee-ligament injury late on in the win over City.
The Frenchman, 36, had a scan but will not need an operation.
However, he will miss the Champions League last-16 clashes with AC Milan, along with potentially eight league games.
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Spurs’ back-up keeper Fraser Forster will step in.
Lloris has played in all but one Premier League match this season and all of their Champions League ties.