Antonio Conte ‘not worried’ about Harry Kane after his penalty miss for England at the World Cup

Antonio Conte insists he is “not worried” about Harry Kane following his penalty miss at the World Cup.

Spurs, in fourth as the Premier League resumes following Qatar 2022, take on Brentford on Boxing Day.

“Honestly I am not worried about him. I saw him very well in these two days with us,” Conte said in his pre-match press conference.

“We’re talking about a world-class striker.

“In football, you can have exciting moments and you can also have a moment where you are a bit disappointed because you missed a second penalty. The first he scored.”

Conte suffered penalty heartbreak of his own, albeit indirectly, after being part of the Italy squad that lost to Brazil on spot-kicks in the 1994 World Cup final – a game he did not play in.

“When I was a player I never missed a penalty because I didn’t kick,” Conte said.

“Never, because I was a real disaster at it. But with a penalty I lost a World Cup against Brazil and you live this moment. You are really disappointed.

“For sure the first period you are sad, but then you know that you have to move on. Football gives you the opportunity to have other chances to enjoy it.”

Spurs head into the Boxing Day clash at Brentford without Richarlison, who could be out for up to another month with his hamstring injury picked up in Qatar.

Meanwhile, Conte revealed that Hugo Lloris and Cristian Romero – who appeared for France and Argentina respectively at the World Cup final – will not feature against the Bees. Lloris is expected to be on the bench, while Romero should return for the match against Aston Villa on New Year’s Day.

“I spoke with the medical department [about Richarlison],” Conte said. “They said to me we need three or four weeks still. Three or four weeks. His injury was a serious injury.

“About the players that played the final and third-fourth place, [Ivan] Perisic, Hugo [Lloris] and Cuti [Cristian Romero], only Ivan, who came back today and had a training session with us, is available for the game against Brentford. About Lloris, we want him to stay with us and want him to also to stay on the bench against Brentford.

“As you know very well it is important also after World Cup to give a bit of rest to these players. About Cuti, he will be available for the next game against Aston Villa, I hope so.”