Conte responds to Tottenham food poisoning claims and offers Kane update

Claims emerged on Friday that Spurs were hit with another ill-timed sickness bug - causing worrying flashbacks for fans who remember the infamous episode that handed Arsenal a top-four spot in 2006.

Gary Lineker prompted fears of a repeat of the dreaded food poisoning saga on Friday afternoon as he stated on Twitter that he got wind of another sickness outbreak at the club.

"Hearing there's a food poisoning outbreak at Tottenham," the former Spurs striker posted on Twitter. "No, I am not joking."

His in-the-know report came after a number of Tottenham players were forced to sit out of training ahead of Sunday's 1-0 victory over Burnley due to a stomach bug.

Dejan Kulusevski started that game on the bench after being ill with a virus, with Conte later confirming it had also affected Hugo Lloris, Harry Winks and Pierluigi Gollini.

But, at his pre-match press conference on Friday ahead of Sunday's Premier League final against Norwich, Conte eased fears Spurs had been hit with another food poisoning nightmare.

And, while it appeared Harry Kane would a doubt for the game after pulling out of a media event on Friday after feeling unwell, Conte also confirmed he expects the striker to be fit to play.

Asked about the food poisoning reports, Conte said: "If you remember the last game, we had three or four cases of stomach problems.

"In this week I have to be honest we had a couple of cases but we overcame the situation. Also members of the staff, one day they were not feeling so good. I don't know why, the last week but also this week we faced this situation.

"In this moment though this virus is the last of our problem. We are close to a big achievement and we are totally focused. The situation of the players is the same as the last game."

Asked if Kane will be fit, Conte said: "Yeah, for sure. In the last game we had Deki Kulusevski and he didn't train on Saturday but was good to play.

"Harry doesn't want to miss this type of game, it means a lot for the club."

The Italian was then asked directly about the Lasagne-gate saga, which derailed Tottenham's top-four pursuit back in 2006.

Spurs were in pole position to secure a coveted Champions League place that season, until a pre-match meal cost them everything.

Then-manager Martin Jol was left without TEN first-team players for a crucial final match of the season against West Ham, and the understrength side was unable to get the result they needed, as they lost 2-1 and surrendered their top-four place to north London rivals Arsenal.

It's a nightmare Tottenham fans have been unable to forget and, when Conte was asked about it, the manager laughed: "I don't want to know this story.

"I'm not interested to go deeper into this story. I think that we are in a good moment of form. We have worked well this week and prepared very well. We have to be concentrated.

"There is the whole season behind this game and we can reach something amazing for us because I think no one can imagine top four this season. We have worked hard and now everything is in our hands."

Asked whether he had been ill, Conte added: "In my staff only one person had this problem and we kept him at home.

"It's a problem that lasts one or two days and then you are OK. The medical department try to take care of it, with vitamins. This problem we have to face, but in my mind it is not a problem.

"We are ready to fight and to try and get a good result on Sunday."