Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte has admitted that Dejan Kulusevski will need further assessment ahead of Wednesday's Premier League clash with Crystal Palace.
The 22-year-old was seen arriving with the rest of the squad for their New Year's Day battle with Aston Villa, but he was a surprise omission from the starting lineup and bench.
It quickly emerged that Kulusevski was nursing a minor muscular problem, as Conte's side succumbed to a 2-0 defeat in North London in the Juventus loanee's absence.
Reports at the time stated that Tottenham were confident of having Kulusevski available again for the trip to Selhurst Park, with his injury not expected to keep him out for more than one game.
However, speaking at Tuesday's pre-game press conference, Conte could not guarantee that Kulusevski would be fit to play in Wednesday's London derby, where Rodrigo Bentancur and Richarlison will also miss out.
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"Kulusevski is not a serious injury but you know we need to monitor it day by day and tomorrow and then we take the best decision," football.london quotes Conte as saying.
"I don't know [if he can face Palace]. We have today and tomorrow to check his situation. We'll see. The injury is not serious. If the player gives his availability then he could play. Otherwise we have to wait and have patience for the next game."
Bentancur's groin injury will also render him unavailable for the weekend's FA Cup third-round clash with Portsmouth, but the Uruguay international could come back for the North London derby with Arsenal on January 15.
Meanwhile, Richarlison's is set for an imminent new scan to better understand the severity of the thigh problem that he sustained while representing Brazil at the World Cup.
"About Rodrigo Bentancur, he has started to work. He's still not ready and also for the FA Cup game but we hope to have him back for the next Premier League game," Conte added.
"About Richarlison we have to see and check the situation and for sure in the future he will have another MRI to understand very well his situation."
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Conte, who is also without the suspended Yves Bissouma and injured Lucas Moura for Wednesday's game, was also grilled on his future in North London, having entered the final six months of his contract.
"I am happy but I always say to you I am happy. I want to stay here. I am enjoying my time in Tottenham, I am enjoying my work in Tottenham," Conte added when asked about the chances of a new deal.
"I always say this and I am happy but it doesn't mean I cannot tell you what we are doing. We are trying to create a base foundation. Maybe from the start of my experience here I am repeating always the same thing.
"It is difficult for me every day to repeat the same thing and for you not to understand. It is difficult. I am happy to stay here because I am at a modern club, I have a good relationship with the players and I have a good relationship with the club.
"I am really committed for this club and for Tottenham. Then there is this project and I signed a contract with this club to accept this project and try to build and help the club. During this process a thousand things can happen. The club can sack the manager or there are different visions, different situations."
Should Manchester United fail to take all three points against Bournemouth this evening, Tottenham would rise back into fourth place in the table with victory over London rivals Palace on Wednesday night.
Ben Knapton
