Antonio Conte has opened up on the unique problems presented with players returning to training after testing positive for COVID-19.
The Spurs head coach hinted he may not be able to pick his best XI because risks cannot be taken over fitness and injuries, especially with players recovering from the virus.
Tottenham are due to play Liverpool in North London this weekend, providing the fixture can go ahead amidst a surge in positive COVID-19 cases.
Spurs have had their last three fixtures called off due to COVID, including two Premier League clashes against Brighton and Leicester City and a Europa Conference League tie against Rennes.
Even before the COVID outbreak at Hotspur Way, which infected at least eight players and five members of staff, Spurs had a fixture against Burnley postponed due to bad weather.
As such, Antonio Conte’s men are three Premier League matches behind some of their rivals in the race for the top four this season.
On players returning to training after COVID, Conte said (Football London): “When the players are back from Covid, for sure you have to pay great attention.
“You can’t give them the same charge of work as other players. You have to pay attention. If you want everything very soon, you risk injuries. In this situation, you have to take the risk and at the same time pay great attention. They need time to be fit.
“Also, before picking the starting XI you have to take into consideration all of this. For instance, to start with one player and after 60 or 70 minutes change him with one player who had Covid.
“In this situation, it’s important to have patience and take the right risk. Every one of us would like to pick the best players, the best starting XI, but they need a bit of time to have good form, to be fit and not risk an injury. Otherwise, it would be a disaster.”
Spurs Web Opinion:
I assume it will very much be a case of starting the 11 players who are actually fully fit at the weekend against Liverpool. Those who have returned from positive COVID tests will likely be on the bench at best.