Antonio on opportunity for Pape or Skippy with Bissouma out of Palace clash
Tue 03 January 2023, 14:30|
Tottenham Hotspur
Antonio Conte has spoken about his central midfield options at Palace and the likelihood of either Pape Matar Sarr or Oliver Skipp starting with both Rodrigo Bentancur and Yves Bissouma sidelined for the trip to Selhurst Park on Wednesday evening (8pm).
Yves is suspended after picking up five yellow cards while Rodrigo is back in training after his injury playing for Uruguay in the World Cup, but not yet ready to return. “Hopefully he’ll be ready for our next game in the Premier League,” said Antonio Conte, referring to Arsenal on 15 January after we face Portsmouth in the FA Cup this Saturday (12.30pm).
That brings Skippy and Pape into the equation. Both featured off the bench against Villa on New Year’s Day. That was Pape’s first appearance in the Premier League, while Skippy has started just three times this season after injury ruled him out from late January until October.
Speaking to SPURSPLAY on Tuesday, Antonio told us: “It could be the first time (start in Premier League) for Pape and Skippy, last season, he played two or three months with me in a fantastic way, before he had his injury and stayed six months out.
“We are talking about a young player who showed his quality. My expectation is to see him again at the same level as last season. I’m sure if he starts tomorrow, he will play a great game.”
Bryan Gil could also feature again, having made his full Premier League debut against Villa, following Dejan Kulusevski’s injury in training on Saturday. Antonio reported on Tuesday that Deki’s injury, ‘wasn’t serious’, and told us that he was ’50-50’ to feature at Palace.
“Otherwise, it’s another chance for Bryan Gil,” added Antonio. “He is one of the young players that we are working on, a really good prospect, players who have a brilliant future. I’m talking Gil, Skippy, Pape Sarr, Spence, Sessegnon, also, Emerson is only 23, Harvey White, players who are growing.”
