Antonio Conte will MISS Tottenham’s clash with Man City this afternoon as he continues recovery

Antonio Conte will not attend Tottenham’s match against Manchester City on Sunday afternoon as he continues his recovery after an operation.

The Spurs manager is still in Italy recuperating after gallbladder surgery and is not yet well enough to return to touchline duties.

His assistant Cristian Stellini will take charge of the side when they host Premier League heavyweights City in north London.

Speaking ahead of the game, Stellini said: ‘Antonio is well, he’s recovering [from his gallbladder surgery], he’s at home [in Italy]. We are sad because he can’t stay with us.

‘He will watch the game at home. He was involved until this morning. We don’t have special communication, so we are in charge. We spoke about the team but it was my decision as I managed the training session.’

Tottenham manager Antonio Conte will miss their match against Manchester City on Sunday

His assistant boss Cristian Stellini (pictured) will head the north London side in his absence

Conte, 53, fell ill last week with severe abdominal pain and returned to his homeland to undergo surgery to remove his gall bladder.

On Saturday night, he was still in Turin and it has now been confirmed he will miss the City game.

In the match programme, Conte wrote: ‘I want to say thank you for the love, support and well wishes from everyone following the operation to remove my gallbladder earlier this week. 

‘The procedure went well, I am recovering and looking forward to being back with the team as soon as I’m able to do so.’ 

For the moment, it is understood Conte will arrive back in London at the start of next week – provided he has medical clearance to travel – with a view to leading the team’s preparations for next Saturday’s clash against Leicester. 

‘Following a diagnosis of cholecystitis, he will be undergoing surgery to remove his gallbladder today and will return following a period of recuperation,’ read a statement.

Preparations were led by Stellini, who will share the responsibility of picking the team with Conte. 

‘We are upset,’ said Stellini. ‘It was Antonio who called me and explained the situation. Last week he had a problem that we thought was flu, not a problem like this. 

Conte returned to Italy to have gallbladder surgery and is still recuperating after the operation

Dejan Kulusevski said Conte will be the ‘happiest man on earth’ if they win without him there

‘When he discovered this, it was a surprise and he was so sad, but we have to keep going and work. We had time to speak to Antonio before the surgery about the way to prepare for the (City) game.

‘Then we lost him for 12 hours, the time for him to have the surgery. The surgery was not difficult and it’s important he recovers well – this is the most important thing.’

Meanwhile, Spurs winger Dejan Kulusevski revealed he is motivated by the prospect of ‘revenge’ in the clash, while admitting his side needed to improve against top-six sides.

He added: ‘We have a lot of responsibilities to play for him (Conte). Even when he is not here we have to do what he has taught us. If he is not there and we win, he will be the happiest man on Earth.’