Published: 11:30, February 10, 2023 | Updated: 11:33, February 10, 2023
Spurs coach returns to work; Lloris, Bissouma out injured
By Reuters

Tottenham Hotspur's Italian head coach Antonio Conte arrives for the English Premier League football match between Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur at Craven Cottage in London on Jan 23, 2023. (ADRIAN DENNIS / AFP)

LONDON - Tottenham Hotspur coach Antonio Conte was back at work on Thursday as his side prepare for this weekend's Premier League trip to Leicester City but injured goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and midfielder Yves Bissouma face a spell on the sidelines.

Conte, 53, was diagnosed with cholecystitis, or inflammation of the gallbladder, and took a short break to focus on his recovery after surgery at the beginning of the month.

"Antonio is back and we enjoyed this morning to see him back again," Spurs assistant manager Cristian Stellini said ahead of Saturday's match.

Midfielder Yves Bissouma will have surgery on Friday to repair a stress fracture to his left ankle, with a timeframe for the 26-year-old Mali midfielder's return to be determined after that

"He’s been training, he’s been to the pitch with us, but he has to take it easy for a bit. It was fun to see him here again with energy, it was a hug for everyone."

ALSO READ: Troubled Conte insists he's proud to be Tottenham manager

However, Tottenham will be without captain Lloris for several weeks after the Frenchman picked up a knee injury in Sunday's league win over champions Manchester City.

"At the moment, we know we have a big loss, Hugo will miss maybe the next six weeks," Stellini said.

Fraser Forster will take over in goal.

Bissouma will have surgery on Friday to repair a stress fracture to his left ankle, with a timeframe for the 26-year-old Mali midfielder's return to be determined after that.

READ MORE: Conte had no doubts for Kane's response to World Cup anguish

The injuries will be a blow to Tottenham, who are fifth in the Premier League, face a last-16 Champions League tie against AC Milan and are also in the FA Cup fifth round.