Tottenham Hotspur have announced manager Antonio Conte will undergo surgery after being diagnosed with cholecystitis.
The 53-year-old Italian suffered from severe abdominal pain due to inflammation of his gallbladder, which will require surgery to remove and will begin his recuperation afterwards.
Conte was recently in the dugout when Spurs thumped Preston North End 3-0 in the fourth round of FA Cup at the weekend and will face the winner of the replay between Wrexham and Sheffield United in the next round.
“Antonio Conte recently became unwell with severe abdominal pain,” a statement read on the club website.
“Following a diagnosis of cholecystitis, he will be undergoing surgery to remove his gallbladder today (Wednesday) and will return following a period of recuperation.
“Everyone at the Club wishes him well.”
According to guidelines by the British National Health Service (NHS), recuperation from surgery for removal of the gallbladder could take six to eight weeks.
Conte will miss this weekend’s Premier League clash between Tottenham and Manchester City and is most likely to miss the double-legged Champions League Round of 16 tie with AC Milan as well as crunch league games against London rivals West Ham United and his former employer Chelsea.
The Lilywhites are currently fifth on the table, three points behind Manchester United who occupy the all-important fourth spot.
