Antonio Conte explains Eric Dier’s absence from Brighton victory

Eric Dier missed Tottenham’s 3-1 victory over Brighton on Saturday.

Cristian Romero and Heung Min Son both returned to action following their respective hamstring injuries, but there was no sign of Dier, despite the defender playing 90 minutes against Chelsea before the winter break.

Prior to the defeat at Stamford Bridge, he had missed four games with a muscle problem.

Dier was pictured in training ahead of the Brighton game, but wasn’t named in the squad for the FA Cup fourth round tie.

Alasdair Gold revealed before the game that the 28-year-old had been rested as a precaution following his recent thigh problem and then Antonio Conte confirmed that he wasn’t risked by the medical team due to a “little problem”.

He said: “It was a pity for Eric Dier because yesterday he had a little problem and the medical department decided not to take a risk.”

With two key Premier League fixtures coming up against Southampton and Wolves later this week, hopefully Dier will be able to feature and give Conte a fully fit squad to choose from ahead of a crucial period in both league and cup.