Tottenham assistant manager Cristian Stellini has explained Richarlison’s absence from the Tottenham squad against Preston.
The Brazilian has not started a match since the World Cup, when he picked up a hamstring injury playing for Brazil against Croatia, but has made three appearances off the bench.
Antonio Conte’s recent comments had suggested Richarlison was close to being fully fit again, but the forward has not been named in the Spurs squad at Deepdale in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Speaking ahead of the game, Stellini played down fears that Richarlison had suffered a significant setback.
“Richarlison is not available today, it’s not a big problem so we only have to wait some days,” he said.
In his absence, and with Harry Kane named on the bench, Heung-min Son leads the line as he tries to finally find some form. The South Korean has scored just four Premier League goals this season, three of which came in the same game.
Tottenham have over a week until their next Premier League match, when they welcome Manchester City to north London next Sunday.
