Conte hopeful that ‘important’ Tottenham player will make swift return to action

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Tottenham Hotspur boss Antonio Conte hopes the injury that forced Matt Doherty to come off in the first-half against Aston Villa isn’t ‘serious’.

The 30-year-old was making his seventh consecutive Premier League start under the Italian in yesterday’s 4-0 win at Villa Park.

But the Republic of Ireland international had to be replaced by Sergio Reguilon after 21 minutes when the scoreline was 1-0 to Spurs.

The former Wolves man is in the midst of a real purple patch of form with two goals and two assists from the run of seven consecutive top-flight starts.

Doherty has become a key part of Conte’s side in recent weeks and the former Inter Milan manager is hopeful that his number two can make a swift return to action.

Speaking after yesterday’s comprehensive win against Steven Gerrard’s side which was Spurs’ fourth straight Premier League win, the 52-year-old gave an update on Doherty.

Speaking via Football London, Conte said: “I hope nothing serious, I hope.

“The doctors are going to check on him tomorrow. I hope nothing serious because he wanted to try to continue to play but then at the end he preferred to come out.

“I hope so because Matthew is an important player for us and I hope this injury is not serious.”

Spurs host Brighton & Hove Albion, who shocked Arsenal with a 2-1 win at the Emirates yesterday, on Saturday at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Conte will be hoping that Doherty is able to feature in that game but as well as Reguilon returning in the Midlands, Ryan Sessegnon was back on the bench against the Villains.