‘Really pleased’: Conte hints he’ll give £15m Spurs player just his second start of the season tonight

Add as preferred source on Google

Tottenham Hotspur boss Antonio Conte has praised Matt Doherty ahead of Spurs’ Premier League meeting with Everton.

The North Londoners host the Toffees at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in Saturday’s late kickoff.

Doherty has had to work his way back to full fitness following a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

The 30-year-old ruptured his medial collateral ligament towards the end of last season.

This season, Conte has preferred Emerson Royal at right wing-back.

However, the Brazilian’s sending-off at Arsenal opened the door for Doherty to make his first start of the season.

And the £15million man did well against Brighton, particularly in the opening 20 or so minutes.

Doherty was understandably a bit rusty, but despite this, Conte liked what he saw from the Irishman.

And the Tottenham boss hinted that Doherty could get just his second start since April against Everton.

“We played without Emerson at Brighton and I was really pleased with Matthew,” Conte told football.london.

“He’s struggled this guy to come back to a good level.

“Last season he struggled but then he became a really important player for us.”

Doherty has the right attitude for Conte’s Spurs – TBR View

Doherty’s time at Tottenham hasn’t exactly been plain sailing.

However, he’s shown he has what it takes to impress one of the best and most demanding coaches in the business.

Sadly, his injury stopped him in his tracks and forced him to spend time on the sidelines.

But this season, Doherty is once again working hard to stake a claim for a starting spot.

He definitely has the right attitude for a Conte team, and Emerson will certainly have to work hard to keep his spot.