Tottenham Hotspur have announced that Antonio Conte will once again step away from the touchline following a post-operation health check after his recent gallbladder surgery.
The 53-year-old first experienced severe abdominal pain following Tottenham's FA Cup win over Preston North End in January and was forced to fly back to Italy to have his gallbladder removed.
The operation was a success, and Cristian Stellini took charge of the Lilywhites' Premier League win over Manchester City as Conte remained in his homeland to recover.
Despite not being given the green light to travel for the meeting with Man City, Conte was back in the dugout for the weekend's 4-1 defeat to Leicester City prior to Tuesday's Champions League showdown with AC Milan.
The Italian's return to San Siro was a miserable one, as the Rossoneri won the first leg of their last-16 tie 1-0, and he admitted in his pre-game press conference that he was still "not 100%".
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"I'm feeling much better than before. I'm still not 100% but I am recovering well," the Tottenham manager told reporters.
"It was really difficult for me to stay far from the team because I have a sense of responsibility to stay with the players and breathe every situation. It was really painful. It was the first time for me to stay like this.
"It is very important for me to stay with the team and for us to stay together in what is a difficult moment. In the last period, we were not so lucky... three surgeries – me and two for the other players."
However, Tottenham have now announced that Conte will stay in Italy for an unspecified period after undergoing a post-operation health check, and it is unclear when he will return to the touchline.
In Conte's absence, Stellini will once again take control of the reins for Sunday's London derby against West Ham United before Conte's former club Chelsea travel to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 26.
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"Following a routine post-operation check in Italy yesterday, Antonio Conte will remain at his family home to recover from his recent surgery," Tottenham said in a statement.
"Health is the most important consideration and everyone at the Club wishes him well. Cristian Stellini will assume First Team duties."
Stellini has won both of his games in interim charge of Tottenham, firstly guiding the Lilywhites to a 2-1 Champions League triumph over Marseille in November to book their place in the knockout rounds.
During the visit of Man City, a Stellini-led Tottenham impressively kept the champions at bay and collected all three points courtesy of Harry Kane's record-breaking 267th goal for the club in a 1-0 success.
The Lilywhites sit fifth in the Premier League table ahead of the visit of West Ham, and they will break into the top four with a win if Newcastle United lose to Liverpool on Saturday evening.
Ben Knapton
