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Tottenham manager Antonio Conte is close to returning fully to work but will not be available for the game against Chelsea on Sunday.
Antonio Conte is currently in Italy recovering from gallbladder surgery following doctors' orders last week for him to rest, having rushed his return to first-team duties.
Assistant manager, Cristian Stellini was in charge of the team for last weekend’s win over West Ham and has been in regular contact with Conte.
Although it is believed Conte would have loved to remain in London seeing to the day-to-day activities of the club, training, and preparing for games, he is not expected to be present for the visit of Chelsea on Sunday.
Too soon for Conte's return
Speaking on the possibility of Conte being available for the Chelsea game, Stellini said:
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“We don’t know yet but my feeling is that he’s very close to coming back.
“No, I don’t think he will be available for Chelsea, It is not the moment, but he is very close because I feel also his energy. We have a call three times a day, also in the evenings so absolutely I feel Antonio like he is here.
“We speak a lot and, if we compare when Antonio had the surgery three weeks ago to now, it is completely different. He is completely involved. We transfer to him our feeling, this sensation we have on the players.
“He can watch also the training so the energy is coming again 100 percent.
“I am looking forward to having him back and when he would be back I think the impact of Antonio will be incredible.”
With three wins already under his belt, Stellini continues to impress in Conte's absence and a victory against Chelsea this weekend would send Spurs 14 points clear of their London rivals.
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