Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte has confirmed that Ryan Sessegnon will miss Saturday's Premier League clash with Leeds United.
The ex-Fulham midfielder appeared to sustain a problem in the third round of the EFL Cup against Nottingham Forest, where Conte had already used all five of his substitutes after 65 minutes.
As a result, Sessegnon was forced to play through the pain until the final whistle in that 2-0 defeat and was not moving comfortably at the end of the game at the City Ground.
The 22-year-old immediately emerged as a doubt for the visit of Leeds to North London, in what will be Spurs' final fixture before the World Cup break.
Speaking to reporters at his pre-game press conference, Conte revealed that Sessegnon would be absent, although his problem is only a "little" one, while Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison are hoping to prove their fitness to start the game.
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"About Sessegnon, today he didn't train with us. He had a little problem and he's not available for tomorrow's game. Richarlison and Kulusevski have another training session before we decide about the starting XI," football.london quotes Conte as saying.
Cristian Romero and Son Heung-min also remain on the sidelines for Tottenham, although the latter has affirmed that he will be fit for the World Cup after undergoing surgery on an eye socket fracture.
Tottenham head into Sunday's game having won just two of their last seven games in all tournaments, as well as losing both of their most recent Premier League home matches to Newcastle United and Liverpool.
Speculation over Conte's future is unsurprisingly hotting up amid Spurs' poor form, as the 53-year-old's current contract is due to expire at the end of the season, and he has been persistently linked with a move back to Juventus.
However, when asked about his contract situation, Conte hinted that he would be prepared to remain in North London for "many years", with the club reportedly planning to open extension talks during the World Cup.
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"You know very well that my contract expires in June. Until that moment the club has to make the best evaluation. I think that everything you need to deserve and it will be important to see the rest of the season and if we are happy with the improvement we are doing," Conte added.
"I think that every situation it's important to deserve. From my side, it's important to feel that I deserve a new contract, to sign a new contract with this club. I have to feel this. We will take with the club and find the best solution.
"But you know, I think when you start a path with a club the dream is to stay here for many years and try to build something important. I think it's very important the relationship you create with the players, the club and the environment around you.
"Don't forget the ambition. If you're used to winning, it's important to match all these situations. If you're lucky to match all these situations it's easy for a coach but in modern football it's different."
Tottenham sit fourth in the Premier League table ahead of the visit of Leeds, three points clear of Manchester United and five better off than Brighton & Hove Albion, both of whom have a game in hand.
Ben Knapton
