‘Absolutely’: Stellini now says 26-year-old Tottenham man will be available to face Arsenal next weekend

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Tottenham Hotspur progressed to the next round of the FA Cup with relative ease yesterday, defeating third-tier Portsmouth.

Their 1-0 win came courtesy of Harry Kane, who is now just one goal away from becoming Tottenham’s all-time top goal scorer.

Speaking after the match, Antonio Conte’s assistant, Christian Stellini, was pleased with his side’s performance.

Conte made plenty of changes, but maintained a front three of Kane, Son Heung-min and Bryan Gil.

Gil has finally earned his opportunity under the Italian, after nearly 18 months of waiting for a Premier League start.

With Rodrigo Bentancur still not fit, Conte used this weekend to give Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg a much-needed rest.

It meant Pape Matar Sarr was awarded his first start, and was initially expected to line up alongside Yves Bissouma.

However, Bissouma pulled out of the match in the warm-up, meaning Oliver Skipp was drafted into the side at the last minute.

It’s another injury that Conte could do without with some big matches coming up.

Stellini confirmed after the match that Bissouma’s injury doesn’t appear to be serious, and he should be fit to face Arsenal next weekend.

If Bentancur is still unavailable, Bissouma is the player Conte will look to replace him with.

Bissouma ‘absolutely’ fit to face Arsenal – Stellini

Speaking to the club’s official website after the match, Stellini said: “It’s an injury that came from the last match. Bissouma has an ankle problem.

“He tried to push himself and we worked to have Bissouma on the pitch, but he was mature to say the truth and he was not 100 per cent.

“It’s very good when the player speaks and tells us they are not 100 per cent and it’s better to use a player that is available 100 per cent as Skippy was and he played a good match.

‘We are happy that Bissouma spoke the truth and we could make the right choice.”

When asked if Bissouma would be ready for selection for next week’s north London derby, Stellini said: “Yes, absolutely.”

The 26-year-old hasn’t set the world on fire since arriving from Brighton in the summer.

He was disappointing against Brentford, and yesterday would have been a good chance to recapture some form.

The form of Bentancur and Hojbjerg has meant Bissouma and Tottenham’s other midfielders have their work cut out breaking into the side.

Bissouma will be hoping that he will get the nod next weekend after being declared fit to face rivals Arsenal.