Antonio Conte in Spurs dugout for Brighton clash after bout of coronavirus

Tottenham boss Antonio Conte will be on the bench for his side’s game against Brighton on Saturday after his recent bout of coronavirus.

The Italian tested positive following last weekend’s win at Aston Villa after complaining of mild symptoms but is now feeling better.

He has been involved at the training ground this week by social distancing and will lead the team as normal at the weekend.

“After the game against Aston Villa, the day after, I started to feel mild symptoms,” he said. “A bit of pain in my throat, so I asked to have a Covid test and it was positive.

“I’m fine and well. For sure it was a strange week for me and also the players, as they’re used to having training sessions with me. Not only with my staff.

“But it’s OK because my staff are doing a great job. I attended the sessions from a distance, and I think on Saturday I stay with my players on the bench.

“Given the length of time from my Covid test I think I could stay on the bench on Saturday.”

While Conte will be involved at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Matt Doherty will not after the right wing-back was ruled out for the season with a knee injury picked up in the win at Villa.

He will not undergo surgery but has no chance of recovering in time for the run-in.

“This is really bad news for us. You know very well the improvement in our team and it’s a pity because to lose a player like him for the rest of the season is not good,” Conte said.

“But at the end of the season there are only seven games to go and (Ryan) Sessegnon is ready and is in the squad, and there’s Emerson (Royal) and (Sergio) Reguilon. We have to try and cope in the best possible way until the end of the season.

“I think the first visit with the doctor, the doctor said he can recover