‘He’s in my squad’: Conte says 24-year-old Tottenham star is ‘ready’ to play vs Brentford tonight

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Antonio Conte has hinted to Football London that Steven Bergwijn will be in Tottenham Hotspur’s squad to face Brentford this evening.

In the squad tonight

Bergwijn is yet to make an appearance for Tottenham since Antonio Conte took charge.

There were concerns that he may not be in Conte’s plans after he was left out of Tottenham’s squad against Mura.

Spurs claimed that the absence was down to illness, but then reports in Holland this week suggested that the winger was not part of Conte’s plans.

However, the Italian boss has now suggested that these rumours are wide of the mark.

And he confirmed that Bergwijn would be in his match day squad later this evening.

Conte said: “We’re talking about a player that has important skills and it was a pity for me – but not the national team, because he scored in qualifying for Holland – because I would have liked to have him during the two weeks on the international break to work with him and know him much better, but for sure he has great quality.

“He’s good one v one, he’s fast, he has quality, he can beat a man and also score. Now we’re working. Now also he’s understanding what I want from him and for me, he’s one of the strikers who can play in all three positions of the strikers.

“Surely he’s a player that I have to make an important evaluation of. But he’s in my squad and I count on him for sure. Tomorrow’s he’s ready and available. Mura he had a problem, otherwise he would have played, but tomorrow’s he’s ready and available and I count on him.”

Waiting for a chance

The news should come as a boost for Bergwijn, who is just waiting for an opportunity.

Conte’s system could actually suit him, as he could be stationed in one of the two slots to the side of Harry Kane.

The powerful winger does need to start hitting the back of the net though.

Bergwijn made a roaring start to his Tottenham career, but his goalscoring has really slowed down since.

He is still yet to score in nine appearances for Spurs this season, which has seen him fall down the pecking order.

It seems most likely that the 24-year-old will start tonight’s game on the bench, but there is a strong chance that he could be used as an impact substitute.