Conte likely to miss Chelsea game as Son says health is the ‘most important thing’

Tottenham boss Antonio Conte will miss the Chelsea game as he continues his recovery from gallbladder surgery, according to assistant coach Cristian Stellini.

Conte underwent surgery to remove his gallbladder at the start of February and then had a period of recuperation thereafter. He returned to coaching duties for fixtures against Leicester and Milan, but after a follow-up check-up in his native Italy, he was instructed to take further rest.

That left first-team coach, Ryan Mason and assistant manager, Stellini in charge once more as Spurs faced West Ham.

Tottenham would beat West Ham 2-0 to move into the top four, but the north London club will have to persist without their manager for the visit of Chelsea next weekend.

“No, I am not expecting Antonio is back for Chelsea,” said Stellini when asked on a perspective return date. “But I expect Antonio will be back the week after Chelsea.

“For Milan or Wolverhampton. We have also the game in the FA Cup so maybe not Chelsea but we don’t know – because if Antonio feels well and he can live some stress without some pain or feel something strange, Antonio will be back.”

Son Heung-min, who was dropped for the West Ham game but came off the bench to score, said after the match that while he hopes Conte returns soon, health is the most important thing.

“Sometimes we forget that football is not an important thing,” said Son. “The human being, the health and the family are the most important thing.

“We hope that the gaffer is coming back as soon as possible and, obviously the coaching staff did an amazing job and gave us great confidence.”

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After Chelsea, Tottenham have fixtures against Sheffield United in the FA Cup on March 1, Wolves in the league on March 4 and then Milan on March 8.