'My body has suffered' - Antonio Conte on his medical ordeal

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PREMIER LEAGUE 'My body has suffered' - Antonio Conte on his medical ordeal

Ayoola Kelechi 21:06 - 17.02.2023

Conte has taken an extended leave from football and it is uncertain when he will return

Tottenham coach Antonio Conte has explained the reason behind his recent decision to take time off football to recuperate and has narrated his ordeal after undergoing surgery for a ruptured gall bladder. 

Conte opened up after it was revealed that he would not be returning to the touchline anytime soon as he recovers from surgery, leaving Cristian Stellini to assume first-team duties in his place. 

Conte underestimated the severity of his surgery

Conte confessed to underestimating the effects of the surgery and returning too soon, only to have to spend even longer on the sidelines. 

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He said, "My great sense of responsibility towards the club, the players, the staff and the fans brought me to anticipate my comeback on field.

"Sadly I underestimated the procedure, which wasn't a routine operation, but a sudden and serious emergency.

"My body has suffered my impatience and now I am forced to stop until my entire recovery.”

Conte and other key Spurs personnel to miss crucial period

Despite his best intentions, Conte will now be forced to spend a potentially lengthy period away from the Spurs team, which has already suffered a number of forced absences in the last month. 

In addition to losing Conte for the foreseeable future, they will also be without Yves Bissouma for two months after he underwent surgery for a hairline fracture in his leg, while Hugo Lloris is out of action for eight weeks and Rodrigo Bentancur will not be returning to the field of play until August after an ACL injury. 

Despite this, Tottenham must continue to fight on three fronts, including the battle for the top four in the Premier League, while still being alive in the FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League. 

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Their Premier League campaign will be the most important to the team at this point, as they will play two London derbies in quick succession, with Conte likely to miss both. 

This weekend, they take on West Ham, and in a week’s time, they will also host Chelsea, hoping to improve their recent form of two wins and three defeats in their last five league matches. 

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