Antonio Conte says Tottenham have a ‘top’ 21-year-old in their ranks

Sat 19 March 2022 10:15, UK

Tottenham Hotspur boss Antonio Conte is hopeful that Spurs midfielder Oliver Skipp can be back after the international break.

The 21-year-old last played for Tottenham in the 2-0 defeat against Chelsea back in January.

He has been out with a groin injury since then.

As reported in earlier this month, Conte said on 8 February that the medical department ought to have him back in two weeks.

However, he was putting pressure on them to make it seven to 10 days at most.

And two weeks ago, Conte appeared to have a dig at Tottenham’s medical department over the Skipp situation.

“I think that sometimes you should have a [press] conference with the medical department,” he said.

“It is too easy for the doctors to work here because they don’t speak, they don’t explain what happens, you understand?”

However, The Guardian also reported that, while Skipp shares his manager’s frustration, he does not blame the Spurs medical team.

Skipp’s absence has left conte with just Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Rodrigo Bentancur, Harry Winks and Harvey White as his midfield options.

But speaking ahead of the West Ham game, Conte seemed a little more positive about when the academy graduate could be back.

“Skippy is improving a lot, honestly, I hope after the international break to have him again with the team,” he told the Tottenham .

“I know the player’s frustration because we’re also talking about a really good guy.

“He’s a top guy, a top man, to see him very disappointed and very sad for this situation.

“But he has to be strong because we believe in him and we are waiting for him.”

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