Antonio Conte 'expected to be in dugout for Leicester City clash'

The 53-year-old was absent from the touchline for last weekend's 1-0 win over Manchester City after undergoing surgery to remove his gallbladder in his native Italy.

Tottenham announced that Conte had experienced "severe abdominal pain" following their 3-0 win over Preston North End in the FA Cup on January 28, and he flew home to have the procedure done.

The operation was a success, but Conte was not given the green light to travel back to the UK last weekend, as Cristian Stellini took charge for the visit of Man City.

There was hope that Conte would have been able to attend in the director's box, but he nevertheless remained in contact with his team from Italy as Spurs won courtesy of a Harry Kane goal.

Kane's winner saw the 29-year-old overtake Jimmy Greaves and become Tottenham's all-time leading goalscorer on 267 goals, and he was congratulated over the phone by Conte in the dressing room.

Having flown back to the UK on Wednesday, the Evening Standard claims that Conte should be back on the touchline for the trip to the King Power Stadium this weekend.

The report states that the Italian is now back at work at Hotspur Way and will oversee training for the rest of the week, but Stellini will still face the media in Thursday's press conference.

Conte, whose contract at Tottenham expires at the end of the season, will see his side climb into the top four of the Premier League table over Newcastle United with victory on Saturday afternoon.

The Lilywhites sit just one point behind the Magpies, albeit having played a game more, and they will also cut the gap to Manchester United down to one point with a win over Leicester.

However, Conte has returned to the UK with a major injury blow to work around, as Hugo Lloris is facing between six and eight weeks on the sidelines with knee ligament damage.

The former France international sustained the problem towards the end of the weekend's win over Man City, but Spurs are reportedly hopeful that he will not require surgery.

In Lloris's absence, Fraser Forster will start in goal against Leicester on Saturday, but neither of Conte's other senior goalkeepers - Alfie Whiteman and Brandon Austin - have made a Premier League appearance for Spurs.

As a result, Tottenham are supposedly considering a move for 39-year-old Ben Foster, who retired from the game in the summer after his contract with Watford expired, but he would be available on a short-term deal.

Following Saturday's trip to Leicester, Conte will make his return to San Siro as Tottenham face AC Milan in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie next Tuesday.