Tottenham news: Medical expert hits out at Antonio Conte after Oliver Skipp update
Tottenham boss Antonio Conte has plenty of options in midfield even without Oliver Skipp – and he needs to ease off his medical department.
That is the view of injury expert Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in medicine and data analysis.
Skipp, 21, was by now expected to have returned from a groin issue that has seen him sidelined since January.
But as quoted by the Evening Standard yesterday (10 March), Conte said he “doesn’t have an answer” on Skipp’s timeline and is now “really worried”.
The frustrated boss publicly called on his medical department to explain the midfielder’s injury earlier this month, per The Guardian (4 March).
But Dinnery explained why the issue is not as black and white nor as worrying as Conte is making it out to be.
“There have been issues, no doubt” he told Football Insider‘s Adam Williams.
“But it’s too easy just to blanket all injuries and players the same. It’s more nuanced and the response to treatment is different from player to player.
“That’s why predicting return-to-play timelines can be so tough for a medical department. He had an infection with the injury as well, which delayed things.
“But with that Tottenham team, they are still well blessed with depth despite Skipp’s injury.
“Conte is saying he needs backup but he can shuffle things around if he so wishes. They’re okay. Hojbjerg and Bentancur can play centrally.
“I think the international break comes at a really good time for Skipp. That will afford Tottenham and Skipp the time to put some work in training.”
Skipp is set to miss Spurs’ trip to Brighton tomorrow night (16 March).
The Englishman has featured 28 times in all competitions this season.
In other news, expert issues Son Heung-min verdict after “devastating” Conte claim at Tottenham.