Antonio Conte has made four changes 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 fitness coach Gian Piero Ventrone. The 61-year-old left a huge impact on those he worked with at the club, and his loss has been felt by the players as they take on the Seagulls at the Amex Stadium.
Conte, who knew Ventrone for decades, has made 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 has meant 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, and Conte has gone for Matt Doherty to make his first start of the season, with Ryan Sessegnon coming in down the left. Yves Bissouma also comes into the team against his old club in a midfield three as Conte rotates Richarlison to the bench.
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 he has recovered sufficiently to play at the Amex Stadium. Also, in the back three, Ben Davies has come in for Clement Lenglet to provide some fresh legs.
Here is the team Conte has named:
Lloris; Romero, Dier, Davies; Doherty, Bentancur, Bissouma, Hojbjerg; Sessegnon; Kane, Son. Subs: Forster, Lenglet, Sanchez, Perisic, Spence, Skipp, Sarr, Richarlison, Gil.
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