‘I’m sure’: Antonio Conte predicts 22-year-old Tottenham player is going to be amazing vs Palace tonight

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Antonio Conte has talked up Oliver Skipp ahead of Tottenham’s London derby clash with Crystal Palace tonight.

Skipp has started just two Premier League games this season as he continues his battle to get up to full fitness.

But Conte told club media he is a fan of the 22-year-old and if he plays at Selhurst Park tonight, Conte has backed him to do well.

Conte expects Skipp to do well against Palace

Conte said: “Skippy last season he played for two or three months with me in a fantastic way, before he had the injury and stayed six months out.

“We are talking about a young player who showed his quality.

“My expectation is to see him again at the same level as last season.

“I’m sure that if he starts the game, he is going to have a great game.”

It is not easy for an academy graduate to impress Conte, or for that matter Jose Mourinho, but both men are seemingly fans of Skipp.

That shows that he has the right mettle to make it to the very top, and now he needs a period where he is free from injuries to show it.

It is a hard job playing in that Spurs midfield duo, and Rodrigo Bentancur was sensational before and during the World Cup, but is injured now.

The games look set to continue coming thick and fast, which should give Skipp plenty of chances to play, as they look to recover from a faltering restart.