Antonio Conte press conference: Son's goals; Kulusevski update; Wing-back battle

Antonio Conte has spoken to the media ahead of Tottenham's Premier League clash with Everton on Saturday.

Spurs are unbeaten in their last three games since their demoralising loss in the north London derby a fortnight ago.

Here's what the Italian had to say as Spurs look to maintain their perfect home record so far this season.

Son Heung-min

Were you worried about Son's form earlier this season?

"I wasn't really worried about Sonny or if last season Harry [Kane] didn't score goals. We are talking about two important players for us. They work very well and you can have a period where you don't score and you are a little bit unlucky."

Injury update

What's the latest on the injury front? Is Dejan Kulusevski ready to return?

"We [have] the same players of the last game. Deki is still not available for the game against Everton. The rest of the players are OK.

"I think we need to have a bit of patience with [Kulusevski]. Don't take stupid risks. We have to play a lot of games from now until November. At this moment he's not 100% sure to be really fit and in perfect condition. It's important to respect the opinion of the doctors on the player.

"In this moment honestly it's a big difficult to answer yes or no [if he will be fit to face Manchester United next Wednesday]. It depends on the new MRI he did today and about the work the doctors say about his situation. Also the feeling of the player. I was a player and in this situation it's important to respect the feeling of the player and that he feels ok 100%. Otherwise it's not good to take stupid risks."

Team selection

Who will play at wing-back with Emerson Royal still suspended?

"We played without Emerson at Brighton and I was really pleased with Matthew [Doherty]. He's struggled this guy to come back to a good level. Last season he struggled but then he became a really important player for us.

"Also Djed [Spence], he's working and he's improving and he's starting to understand which is the demand to stay at Tottenham. I'm pleased to have more options."

Were you impressed by Bryan Gil's cameo against Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday?

"Yeah but you know that for me all the players in my squad are really important. They have to show me that they are ready to help us. I ask only this. But I have great respect for all my players and I think this respect, they feel this respect because in every training session my attention is the same for every single player, for Harry Kane but also if the player is [Alfie] White or Pape Sarr. We are talking about two really important prospects.

"I ask only to give me the opportunity to be relaxed and if I give the opportunity to these players to play, only this. Gil is really good prospect. He is becoming stronger, physically. Because he has in this moment only this gap for Premier League, it’s physical, you know?

"Otherwise technically he understands football in an important way. I’m sure that we’re talking about a player that will be an important prospect for the future. Now he’s building also, he’s improving on the physical aspect and for us that’s important."

Are you unable to rotate Eric Dier because of what he brings as the middle centre-back in your formation?

"There are certain roles that are very difficult to make rotation. The centre back in the middle is very difficult. It's a specific role. I can use Cristian Romero and [Davinson] Sanchez can play there but if I have the possibility to use the player and they give me the availability and they feel comfortably then I will use them."