Team news ahead of Eintracht Frankfurt - Lucas returns, Deki close

Lucas Moura is back in the frame for our UEFA Champions League Group D clash against Eintracht Frankfurt at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Wednesday evening (8pm).

The livewire forward has been out since August with a tendon issue. Antonio Conte also had a positive update on Dejan Kulusevski, who has missed our last three matches after picking up an injury on international duty. Both players trained on Tuesday morning.

Speaking to SPURSPLAY after training, Antonio told us: “Lucas is available tomorrow for the bench. He had three training sessions with us and, for sure, his physical condition at the moment is not top, but, at the same time, he’s good to come with us, to sit on the bench and you never know what happens during the game, if you need him for a short period, I believe he can play.

“Deki, it’s good news because the player his recovering well. I spoke with the doctor, yesterday he had an MRI (scan), and I think tomorrow it’s better to keep calm and don’t force the situation, because he could have a bit of a percentage of risk and, at this moment, we don’t need to lose a player like Deki. For this reason, tomorrow he’s not available, but today, he trained with us, and, for sure, against Everton he will be available.”

Asked for team news in his pre-match press conference, Antonio reported: “Deki started a little part of the training session with us, but he’s not available for tomorrow. Lucas is available despite only having three training sessions with us, but tomorrow he is with us and will be on the bench, There are no other problems, no other injuries.”

Asked more specifically about Deki, Antonio responded: “I think Deki is almost ready. Yesterday he had an MRI and it was really positive but, at the same time, I spoke to the doctors and they said tomorrow we can have five per cent of risk. I don't want to take a risk because Deki is an important player for us. It would be stupid. We need a bit of patience and we've faced this situation well without him. I think he will be able to play against Everton."