Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte is "very close" to returning to his duties from gallbladder surgery, assistant manager Cristian Stellini has said.
The Spurs boss had to have the organ removed after experiencing severe abdominal pain at the end of January, and he was expected to spend a lengthy period recovering in his homeland.
However, Conte made a quicker-than-expected return to the dugout against Leicester City on February 11, although his comeback game was a miserable one as Tottenham lost 4-1.
Conte then took the reins at San Siro for Spurs' 1-0 Champions League last-16 first leg defeat to AC Milan on February 14, but he was subsequently advised to remain in Italy following a health check.
As a result, Stellini was back in charge for last weekend's 2-0 win over West Ham United, which lifted Tottenham into the top four of the Premier League table.
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Stellini was pessimistic about Conte's chances of returning for Sunday's clash with Chelsea last weekend, and the 53-year-old is set to miss the imminent meeting with his former club.
However, Stellini has revealed that his compatriot is edging ever closer to returning to the dugout, although it is unclear whether he could be back for next Wednesday's FA Cup clash with Sheffield United.
"No, I don't think so. It's not the moment. It's very close though because I can feel his energy. We have a call 3-4 times a day and in the evening," football.london quotes Stellini as saying in Friday's press conference.
"We speak a lot and if we compare with when Antonio had the surgery three weeks ago he is completely involved. He can watch the training and the energy is completely different. He's involved in every situation and every decision."
Tottenham's beating of West Ham extended Stellini's perfect record to three wins from three games in charge, having also stepped in for victories over Marseille and Manchester City earlier this season.
Amid his successful exploits, the 48-year-old was asked about taking on a manager's job later in his career, but he affirmed that he enjoys the responsibilities of an assistant manager.
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"I don't know. I enjoy a lot to be a coach in charge but when you take a decision you have to do your best. Sometimes I think about being a coach and it's a dream. But I'm an assistant and that's the reality. I feel I'm good in this job [as an assistant] to continue," Stellini added.
Second-half strikes from Emerson Royal and Son Heung-min - who was dropped from the starting lineup for Richarlison - propelled Tottenham to victory over West Ham last week, and all four of Son's Premier League goals so far this term have come as a substitute.
Stellini revealed that Son's demotion from the first XI had nothing to do with his confidence levels, but the South Korean had been struggling with an unspecified problem and was in need of an extended break.
"It was about conditioning. Sonny had a problem that he's had for a bit of time. Sometimes players need time to recover. We have a busy period coming up and we need everyone 100%," Stellini said.
Tottenham will increase their lead over Newcastle United to four points with victory over Chelsea, and they could also cut the gap to third-placed Manchester United - who face the Magpies in Sunday's EFL Cup final - down to the same amount.
