Antonio Conte ‘tested positive for Covid… but Spurs expect him to be on touchline vs Brighton’

Antonio Conte reportedly returned a positive Covid-19 test last weekend but Tottenham expect him to be symptom-free ahead of Saturday’s clash against Brighton.

The Times claim the Italian tested positive on a weekend which saw Spurs take control of the top four race after the 4-0 thrashing of Aston Villa and Arsenal’s defeat by Graham Potter’s men.

Spurs will now look to go six points ahead of their north London rivals in Saturday’s early kick-off at home to the Seagulls, and the report claims the club expect the 52-year-old to be symptom-free by then.   

Tottenham boss Antonio Conte reportedly returned a positive Covid-19 test last weekend

Spurs took control of the top four race last weekend after hammering Aston Villa on Saturday

Conte – who has been isolating away from the squad after testing positive for Covid – is also expected to hold his pre-match press conference on Thursday afternoon as originally scheduled.

However, it is now expected this will take place virtually on Zoom rather than the in-person conferences which have returned at Hotspur Way training ground and across the Premier League following the lifting of restrictions.

Spurs will hope Conte’s reported positive test has not disrupted their preparations as they look to take another step towards Champions League qualification with a fifth straight Premier League win. 

Spurs expect 52-year-old Italian to be symptom-free ahead of visit of Graham Potter’s Brighton

Conte praised his side for taking advantage of Arsenal’s slip-up last weekend, lauding them for seeing ‘the right moment to go further ahead’. 

‘We have to show in this moment that you start to feel the blood of your opponents. It is important in this moment not to fade,’ said the Italian. 

‘Arsenal, West Ham and United are in the same position as us, fighting for a place in the Champions League. To know that your opponents have lost, for sure it has to give you the will to win.’

‘A small team would be happy to know even if you lost you stayed fourth,’ Conte added, ‘but if you want to be a big team you have to see it as the right moment to go further ahead. We suffered pressure against Villa in the first half but we showed great desire.’

The Seagulls damaged Arsenal’s own top four hopes with a shock win at Emirates Stadium