Antonio Conte claims that Dejan Kulusevski will ultimately make the decision on whether he can play for Tottenham Hotspur against Crystal Palace.
Tottenham fans probably felt a sinking feeling as soon as the lineup to face Aston Villa emerged on Sunday afternoon.
Spurs supporters will have looked down the starting XI and felt a sense of panic with Kulusevski’s name nowhere to be seen.
Quick, check the bench… nope, not there either; Kulusevski was ruled out completely, not even fit enough for the bench.
Kulusevski had picked up a muscle injury with Football London reporting that the plan was for Kulusevski to have a scan on Monday.
Tottenham fans will hope for good news about Kulusevski with Spurs travelling across London to take on Crystal Palace on Wednesday night.
Conte claims Dejan Kulusevski will decide Tottenham injury return
Tottenham boss Antonio Conte has now commented on Kulusevski and the possibility of him playing against Palace.
Conte told Tottenham’s official website that Kulusevski’s involvement at Selhurst Park is currently ’50-50’.
Conte added that the decision is ultimately up to Kulusevski, suggesting that if he feels positive about his injury, then he can play.
“He’s 50-50, we have a day and a half to make the right evaluation,” said Conte. “For sure, it’s up to the player, the decision, because if his feeling is good, is positive, he can start to play. Otherwise, we won’t take a risk,” he added.
That’s certainly putting the ball in Kulusevski’s court and whilst the advice of medical staff will be important, the Swede will seemingly have the final say.
Kulusevski missed a number of games earlier this season having picked up a hamstring injury on international duty with Sweden.
A frustrating setback kept Kulusevski on the sidelines and that may well leave the winger feeling it’s better to miss one game and come back than push himself for this game and make it worse.
Tottenham need Kulusevski badly; his guile, creativity and unselfishness is so vital to this Spurs team.
Yet if missing him for one game means he is back regularly, Tottenham fans would probably accept Kulusevski being out again.
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