Antonio Conte will have to make at least one change as Tottenham Hotspur return to Premier League action with their trip to Brighton on Saturday evening.
It has been a difficult week for everyone inside Spurs following the sudden death of popular and renowned fitness coach Gian Piero Ventrone. The 61-year-old left an indelible mark on those he worked with at the club and there will no doubt be plenty of emotion among the players as they take on the Seagulls at the Amex Stadium.
Conte, who knew Ventrone for decades, must rally his team and he could make changes with the team playing its third match in seven days. That it's a Tuesday to Saturday gap since the Champions League match at Frankfurt means some players will have recovered sufficiently to play again at Brighton but the Spurs boss will have to make some changes.
READ MORE: Why Gian Piero Ventrone was adored by Antonio Conte and Tottenham stars despite tough sessions
Emerson Royal begins his suspension which means Conte's options are using Matt Doherty or 33-year-old Ivan Perisic switching to the right to play a third game in a week, as Djed Spence does not currently seem to be a contender for the position. The head coach may feel he can afford to make more changes in the Champions League match at home against Frankfurt in the week.
Yves Bissouma could come into the team against his old club, perhaps in a midfield three as Conte might be tempted to rest one of the front three to prevent injuries and keep more firepower in reserve on the bench. In Frankfurt, the Spurs boss was unsure when Dejan Kulusevski would be fit to play with Lucas Moura out even longer.
Eric Dier looked to be in pain after going into a tackle awkwardly early in the match at Frankfurt and was later seen limping stiffly out of the team coach that evening, but it would take a lot to prevent the England international from making himself available for the game.
In the back three, Ben Davies could come in for Clement Lenglet to provide some fresh legs and Ryan Sessegnon could provide the same down the left.
Here is the team we reckon Conte will select:
Lloris; Romero, Dier, Davies; Perisic, Bentancur, Bissouma, Hojbjerg; Sessegnon; Kane, Son.
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