Tottenham Hotspur and Antonio Conte could be set for a huge boost ahead of tonight's penultimate Champions League game against Sporting CP. Spurs need a win against the Portuguese side to secure their spot in the knockout stages but they could end the night outside the qualification spots in a vital European clash in north London.
Conte's side have won two of their four group games so far and placed themselves in the best possible position last time out with a 3-2 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt. However, they come into tonight's clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on the back of a horrendous week after defeats to Manchester United and Newcastle in the space of four days.
Spurs were without two key players for Sunday's home defeat to Newcastle, with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Cristian Romero absent after a thigh issue and calf problem respectively. However, ahead of the game Conte hinted at a possible return of the pair. He said: "Romero and Hojbjerg tomorrow morning we will see. If there is a possibility for them to recover we will try everything because it's an important game for us."
READ MORE: Sporting CP boss Ruben Amorim makes Joao Felix claim following Marcus Edwards' Tottenham exit
Romero himself has dropped a huge hint whether he will be involved tonight with a cryptic message on his personal Instagram page. The centre-back posted a short promotional video of tonight's game on to his story, which is normally a trend players in the matchday squad follow.
The hint comes after Romero and Hojbjerg were not involved in the open training session yesterday. Both were spotted with the rest of the Tottenham squad in the gym prior to the session but did not come out, instead remaining indoors.
Tonight's game is Tottenham's eighth game of a hectic October schedule, with a ninth coming on Saturday afternoon at Bournemouth. With the fitness of many of his players proving an issue, Conte discussed the impact of the gruelling fixture schedule.
"The schedule is really busy, but it is busy for us and the other teams. I always said to you that when you play every three days that you must have a strong squad, to be lucky, not to have big injuries.
"This way it is easier to face this situation. But we knew about this situation from the start of the season. Now its a moment we have to manage very well, cope with many injuries and to overcome a period of difficulty because we lost the two last games."
READ NEXT:
Tottenham predicted team vs Sporting CP: Five changes as Conte makes Hojbjerg and Romero call
Son Heung-min 'prepares' for Tottenham transfer exit with Real Madrid, PSG and Bayern Munich links
Every word Conte said on Romero and Hojbjerg injuries, January transfers and Spurs transition
Tottenham news: Major Son Heung-min transfer worry as Antonio Conte prepares for Sporting visit
We simulated Tottenham vs Sporting Lisbon to get a Champions League score prediction
