‘Available’: Conte says £23m Tottenham Hotspur man could play against Manchester United tomorrow, he’s got so much fitter

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Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte has confirmed that winger Lucas Moura is available to play tomorrow.

Speaking to the club’s official website ahead of their clash at Old Trafford, Conte delivered a positive update on Moura.

The 30-year-old has been a bit-part player at Tottenham since Conte arrived.

This is partly due to ongoing fitness issues for Moura, which have largely limited his game time this season.

After being involved in the matchday squad for the first three Premier League matches, Moura then suffered a calf injury.

He was introduced off the bench in the final minutes against Everton at the weekend.

However, Conte has said that Moura is available to play tomorrow and is looking much fitter than before.

Moura available to play against Man United tomorrow

Speaking before the match, Conte said: “Lucas Moura is available. He’s working. He’s starting to have a good physical condition.”

Moura’s fitness hasn’t been the only barrier to playing more minutes under Conte.

Traditionally a winger, it’s hard to see exactly where the £23m Brazilian fits into Conte’s system.

Moura is competing with the likes of Son Heung-min, Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison for two starting spots behind Harry Kane.

Conte doesn’t tend to play these attackers in wide areas, and so Moura would have to adapt to being a more central player.

He could be utilised as a wing-back, something Jermaine Jenas has suggested Conte may do.

Moura has very rarely played in such a role, even if wing-backs play so far up the pitch in Conte’s system.

The Italian did try Moura there in pre-season, but now has plenty of more natural options to choose from instead on either flank.

Journalist Tom Barclay has said that Moura is really keen to stay at Tottenham in the long-run.

However, the Brazilian appears to be just a rotation option at the club now.

The injuries to Richarlison and Kulusevski have opened up an attacking position in the side that Moura could fill.

However, Conte has also said that Ivan Perisic could be played further forward to fill that role.