‘We are trying’: Conte says Spurs are having to tread carefully with ‘formidable’ forward’s fitness

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Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte has revealed that Spurs are having to tread carefully with Lucas Moura’s fitness.

The Tottenham forward has spent time on the sidelines this season with a calf injury.

Moura has since returned to action, coming off the bench against Eintracht Frankfurt, Everton and Manchester United.

Prior to the Red Devils defeat, Conte said the Brazilian was “available” and was starting to be in “good physical condition”.

With Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison missing, it looked as though Moura could’ve been in line to start.

Instead, Conte went with just Harry Kane and Son Heung-min in attack.

Moura ended up coming off the bench for the final eight minutes of the game.

After the match, football.london asked Conte about why he left his substitutions so late in the match.

“The substitutions today with Richarlison and Kulusevski out with injuries were really difficult to try to change the game,” said the Tottenham boss.

“Also because Lucas Moura, you know very well, is recovering from an injury with his tendon.

“We are trying to keep him in balance. And for this reason, we are also going during the training sessions to bring him in the best physical condition.

“But not to push him a lot because he took risks like two weeks ago to stop himself again.

“The other solution to the bench today was we played with three midfielders because we had only the two strikers.

“And then you know this type of game, we have many young players that this game is difficult for all players and for the young players much more difficult.”

Right call from Spurs boss – TBR View

Moura is a “formidable” player who’s a goal threat and is capable of making a big impact with his pace and energy.

However, Conte is right to manage his return to full match fitness appropriately.

It’s better for Moura to recover completely than risk aggravating his injury again.