Antonio Conte will NOT be back in the dugout to face his former side Chelsea this weekend

Tottenham assistant manager Cristian Stellini reveals that Antonio Conte will most likely be absent from the bench yet again for the clash with Chelsea this weekend.

The Italian head coach is still on the mend after undergoing gallbladder surgery, which has seen him come and go from the Spurs bench in recent weeks.

The 53-year-old missed his side’s 2-0 London derby win against West Ham and is expected to miss out once more when his former club visit Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Conte enjoyed much success during his two-year tenure at Stamford Bridge, having won the Premier League in his first campaign as manager during the 2016-17 season and the FA Cup in his second before being sacked in 2018.

His assistant Stellini, however, has almost confirmed that he will be absent again, although he remains in close contact with the coach during the team’s preparations.

Tottenham boss Antonio Conte is expected to be absent from the bench against Chelsea

His assistant Cristian Stellini practically confirmed that the Italian will miss Sunday’s game.

‘No I dont think so. It’s not the moment. However, it is very close because I can feel the energy from it. We have a call 3-4 times a day and at night,’ Stellini said at the pre-match press conference.

“We talk a lot and if we compare it to when Antonio had surgery three weeks ago, he is completely involved.

‘He can see the training and the energy is completely different. He is involved in every situation and every decision.’

Conte initially missed the win against Manchester City but defied his doctor’s orders to return in time for the 4-1 defeat at Leicester last Saturdayonly 10 days after going through the operating room.

Conte confirmed on his Instagram page that he was ‘impatient’ with his return and that he ‘underestimated’ the procedure.

Then he helped prepare the team. for the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 against Milan, which Spurs lost 1-0 at the San Siro.

The Spurs coach stayed in Italy after Tuesday’s defeat against Milan in the Champions League, following a consultation with the surgeon who performed the operation to remove his gallbladder in early February.

Conte confirmed before the Hammers clash on his Instagram page that he was “impatient” with his return and that he “underestimated” the procedure.

He wrote: ‘My great sense of responsibility towards the club, the players, the staff and the fans led me to anticipate my return to the field.

“Unfortunately, I underestimated the procedure, which was not a routine operation, but rather a sudden and serious emergency.

‘My body has suffered from my impatience, and now I am forced to stop until my complete recovery.

‘Those who know me understand the burden that this is for me, but it is necessary. Let’s go SPURS!

It is currently unknown when Conte may return to the bench with Spurs facing a busy series of games in the coming weeks.

Tottenham take on Chelsea ahead of a midweek FA Cup clash against Sheffield United.

The Italian coach enjoyed much success during his two-year stay at Stamford Bridge

Conte’s team will then face Wolves in the Premier League before hosting AC Milan in north London for the Champions League round of 16 second leg.

Stellini, however, has enjoyed some impressive results while on the bench during Conte’s recovery, though he denied questions and talk about a potential promotion to Spurs or even another club in the near future.

‘I don’t know,’ he said. ‘I really enjoy being a coach in charge but when you make a decision you have to do your best.

“Sometimes I think about being a coach and it’s a dream. But I am an assistant and that is the reality. I feel that I am good at this job. [as an assistant] continue.’