Report: 'Unbelievable' Tottenham player has not been seen in first-team training recently, big worry for Antonio Conte

By Milo Clay

Football.London reports that Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Fraser Forster has not been seen in first-team recently and it could be a big worry for Antonio Conte. 

Forster completed a switch to north London over the summer after leaving Southampton on a free transfer. 

The 34-year-old is yet to make his Premier League debut for Spurs but was handed his first start under Conte in the Carabao Cup defeat to Nottingham Forest last month.

But with Spurs’ number one shot stopper Hugo Lloris set to play in this Sunday’s World Cup final, it remains unclear whether he will be available for the trip to Brentford on Boxing Day. 

Forster not seen in training

Football.London reports that three players who didn’t feature in the World Cup were missing from Tottenham’s matchday squad yesterday. 

Conte’s men beat Peterborough U21’s in a behind closed doors friendly, but Emerson Royal, Lucas Moura and Forster were absent. 

The trio also missed Spurs’ 4-0 win over Motherwell last Friday due to knocks but Moura and Royal have been spotted working in the gym. But Forster hasn’t been pictured in training. 

Of course, Lloris is undoubtedly Tottenham’s first-choice goalkeeper at the moment but Conte will face a decision over whether he is ready to feature against Brentford, just eight days after the World Cup final. 

The Italian may have been tempted to hand Forster his first Premier League start due to the quick turnaround. But now Lloris may be forced to return to action sooner than expected with Forster absent from training. 

Spurs are set to play one more friendly before they turn their attention to the return of the Premier League. 

Conte’s men will host Ligue 1 outfit Nice next Wednesday and with Forster ruled out with a knock, Alfie Whiteman could get his opportunity between the sticks. 

Tottenham have two players competing in the World Cup final this weekend in Lloris and Cristian Romero. Football London reports that Conte will face a decision over whether the pair are ready to start in their Boxing Day clash.