Tottenham star Dejan Kulusevski is doubtful for the North London derby against Arsenal.
Manager Antonio Conte gave a vague update on the Swede’s fitness during his press conference on Thursday, after returning from international duty with an injury.
Kulusevski started both of Sweden’s Nations League matches against Serbia and Slovenia, playing the full 90 minutes in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw.
However, he picked up a suspected muscle injury and underwent a hamstring scan when he returned to London on Wednesday.
The 22-year-old is now a doubt for Saturday’s North London derby at the Emirates Stadium, which is LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on talkSPORT.
Conte was asked about Kulusevski’s status, as well as goalkeeper and captain Hugo Lloris, who is also nursing a thigh problem, but refused to divulge any information as he didn’t want to “give Arsenal an advantage”.
The Spurs boss said on Thursday: “We have to wait until tomorrow to check on some players as they have returned from national teams with physical issues.
“Tomorrow will be very important, the last training to understand the players we can count on. For now, we have to wait.
“Honestly, I don’t want to talk about the injury because I don’t want to give Arsenal the lead, huh?
“But of course we have to face problems, physical problems and we also have to know that we have just started playing the first game of a series that we have to play 13 games in 43 days.
“Of course, we have to try to find the best solution and not take big risks. If we take big risks and lose players for the rest of the games, it will be a disaster. To play three games, I have to rely on the whole team.
The loss of on-loan Juventus winger Kulusevski will be a blow for Tottenham, given his form for the club.
He has one goal and three assists in the Premier League so far this season and has formed a solid partnership with Harry Kane and Heung-min Son.
If he was unavailable, Brazilian ace Richarlison – who scored for his country during the international break – would likely replace him.
Kulusevski is loving his time in north London and his 18-month loan spell, which has an option to buy, and recently spoke about the differences between the two clubs.
“Honestly, the difference between the two is huge,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “Their ideas are completely different. In London you work more indoors and the results are visible.
“From Juve to Spurs, my world has changed.”
He continued: “Mentally, I always went on the pitch to give my best. At Juve, on the other hand, it did not work despite my commitment.
“Of course at Juventus I didn’t feel very well for various reasons and when you realize that things are not going well then it’s hard to turn back while staying in the same environment.
“So the choice to leave Italy was the best I could have done in this situation.”
Tune in to talkSPORT for LIVE and EXCLUSIVE commentary of Arsenal vs Tottenham on Saturday 1 October, Kick-off: 12.30pm
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