Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte has confirmed that Dejan Kulusevski will be available for Sunday's North London derby with Arsenal in the Premier League.
The Juventus loanee has missed Spurs' last three games with Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and Portsmouth after picking up a minor muscular injury.
Kulusevski's issue was not a serious one, although it was originally only expected to keep him out for one game before his rehabilitation period was extended.
However, the Sweden attacker recently returned to training as Tottenham gear up to host the Gunners, and Conte was able to provide a positive update on his condition in Friday's press conference.
Speaking to reporters, the Spurs boss confirmed that Kulusevski would be fit to take part in the derby, saying: "The news for sure the situation is going to improve, especially for Deki, for Kulusevski. He had a training session in the last few days with us. He's going to be ready to play."
© Reuters
Kulusevski has just one goal and five assists to show from 13 games in the 2022-23 campaign, having missed 10 matches in all tournaments with a hamstring injury between October and November.
The 22-year-old has spent time in the treatment room alongside Rodrigo Bentancur (groin) and Richarlison (thigh), both of whom are still working their way back from the issues that they sustained in the World Cup.
Conte did not rule either man out of Sunday's derby, but he hinted that it may be too soon to include Bentancur and Richarlison amid fears of a setback, adding: "About Richy and Rodrigo, both situations are improving.
"I think in this moment Deki is much more ready to play and especially don't take risks. For us, it is important to have patience ahead of this period and not to risk accelerating and lose them for a long period. We will see. We have another training session tomorrow to monitor the situation with Rodrigo and Richy."
Should Bentancur and Richarlison both make themselves available, Tottenham's only absentee for the derby would be Lucas Moura, who has been plagued by tendon problems throughout the season.
© Reuters
The Brazilian is out of contract in the summer, and Tottenham did not activate their option to extend his deal for a further 12 months, meaning that he will leave on a free transfer at the end of the season.
While respecting the club's decision, Conte admitted that it will be a shame to see Lucas leave, adding: "This is the decision of the club. For sure this season is a difficult season for Lucas.
"Also at the same time for us, also honestly in my mind when we planned this season Lucas was an important player for us. If you see the season, he's played one or two games, maybe also in the Champions League against Marseille but with pain.
"Lucas from the start of the season I count about him but he was never present to help us. First of all the damage is for me and the team because a player like Lucas is a good player and also he helped us reach the Champions League. If you ask me about the decision of the club, I respect the decision the club makes."
Tottenham enter the North London derby weekend fifth in the Premier League table - four places and 11 points worse off than Arsenal - but they could leapfrog Manchester United back into the top four if the Red Devils lose to local rivals Manchester City on Saturday.
No Data Analysis info
Germany
Switzerland
Hungary
Scotland
Spain
Italy
Croatia
Albania
England
Denmark
Slovenia
Serbia
Austria
France
Netherlands
Poland
Romania
Belgium
Slovakia
Ukraine
Portugal
Turkey
Georgia
Czech Republic