‘We will see’: Antonio Conte suggests £23m Tottenham player has improved and could start vs Sporting tomorrow

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Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte has said that winger Lucas Moura could start in the Champions League tomorrow.

Conte was giving an update on his squad to the media ahead of their tie against Sporting, via Football London.

Lucas Moura has yet to start a match this season after struggling with a calf issue.

He’s come off the bench in each of Tottenham’s last three Premier League matches.

Spurs are currently without Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison, leaving him short of attacking options.

Conte has been reluctant to start Moura given his injury issues, and Bryan Gil has hardly been involved.

Tottenham have instead switched to a 3-5-2 formation, but have looked much less threatening in this set-up.

Conte doesn’t have an attacking-minded creative midfielder to play behind Harry Kane and Son Heung-min.

His two stars have therefore looked isolated, but if Moura starts tomorrow this could fix the issue.

Conte says Moura could start tomorrow

Speaking ahead of Tottenham’s penultimate Champions League group stage match, Conte said: “Lucas Moura is a player who is recovering from a long issue.

“He’s improving but there are moments when you have to take some risks and we will see.

“I want to check tomorrow morning real situations with injuries. Will wait until tomorrow morning and then check position.”

It’s encouraging to hear that Moura is finally returning to full fitness.

Conte has said before that he’s had to be very careful with Moura’s recovery up to this point.

It was only a few weeks ago that Conte said Moura would be ‘out for a long time’ so his return is certainly a bonus.

The £23m forward isn’t as creative as Kulusevski or as direct as Richarlison, but will work hard to get Kane and Son into the game.

The match against Sporting is vital to deciding Tottenham’s future in Europe.

If they win, they’re guaranteed a place in the knockout stages. However, a draw or defeat and it will go down to the final game against Marseille.

Conte will want to start Moura tomorrow to return to his favoured tactical shape.

The Brazilian’s fitness could be key to Tottenham’s progression in the Champions League this season.