Conte returns to Spurs after recovering from gallbladder surgery

Tottenham boss Antonio Conte returns to training just EIGHT days after gallbladder surgery… but assistant Cristian Stellini is unsure if the Italian will be back in the dugout for clash at Leicester on Saturday

• Antonio Conte missed Tottenham Hotspur’s victory over Manchester City
• But following gallbladder surgery in Italy he is now back at the club
• Match at Leicester on Saturday could mark the Spurs’ boss return to the dugout 

Tottenham Hotspur have been given a major boost with the return of Antonio Conte to the club, with the Italian boss already back coaching his side.

Conte missed the club’s 1-0 win over Manchester City on Sunday having had to return to his homeland for surgery on his gallbladder in the build up to the Premier League clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

But the club confirmed his return on Thursday via social media, showing an image of him back out at the club’s Hotspur Way base and taking charge of a training session.

The club captioned the Tweet, ‘Welcome back, boss’ as they now prepare for a Premier League clash with Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.

While Conte was back in training it still remains unclear how much influence he has had on the sessions in the build up to the Foxes clash, while a decision is still yet to be made on whether he is ready to return to the dugout.

Tottenham assistant manager Cristian Stellini took charge of the club’s win over Man City

Conte will now help his Spurs side prepare for a clash against Leicester City on Saturday

Spurs and Conte are likely to decide Friday latest whether he is fit enough to take full charge again, or if assistant Cristian Stellini will once again fill in the hot seat having controlled events from the touchline in the excellent win over City.

Stellini revealed Conte’s return saw him greet his first-team stars with a hug. 

‘Antonio is back,’ Stellini said. ‘This morning on to the pitch with us. He will have to take it easy for a bit. We were so happy to have him back on the training ground. He took time to hug every player.

‘We didn’t speak about what he would do in the next match but he is back [with us]. We have time to be ready.’

Conte, 53, fell ill last week with severe abdominal pain and returned to his homeland to undergo surgery to remove his gall bladder, spending the weekend in Turin.

In the match programme for the City win, Conte wrote: ‘I want to say thank you for the love, support and well wishes from everyone following the operation to remove my gallbladder earlier this week.

‘The procedure went well, I am recovering and looking forward to being back with the team as soon as I’m able to do so.’

Stellini revealed the build up to the game was less than ideal for the club given the health concerns of Conte.

Spurs will hope Conte can still be fit enough to return to the touchline on Saturday

‘We are upset,’ said Stellini. ‘It was Antonio who called me and explained the situation. Last week he had a problem that we thought was flu, not a problem like this.

‘When he discovered this, it was a surprise and he was so sad, but we have to keep going and work. We had time to speak to Antonio before the surgery about the way to prepare for the (City) game.

‘Then we lost him for 12 hours, the time for him to have the surgery. The surgery was not difficult and it’s important he recovers well – this is the most important thing.’

Conte’s return will come as positive news to Spurs fans who on Wednesday saw skipper Hugo Lloris ruled out for up to eight weeks.

Spurs will be looking to build on their win in a battle to secure a Champions League spot

Lloris is set to miss a large chunk of Tottenham’s crucial games including both legs of their Champions League last-16 clash with AC Milan.

The 36-year-old sustained ligament damage during the match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium although it is not thought at this stage that he will need an operation.

Conte will now likely turn to reserve keeper Fraser Forster, who has been the back-up keeper to the Frenchman this season.

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