Why Roberto De Zerbi will miss media duties for Tottenham vs Brighton Premier League clash

Roberto De Zerbi has handed over media duties to his assistant Andrea Maldera ahead of Brighton's Premier League visit to Tottenham this weekend. LondonWorld has been told the Seagulls manager is suffering from heavy pain after dental surgery. 

Assistant Maldera was already taking charge of the game after De Zerbi's yellow card against Crystal Palace last weekend which meant he's banned from the touchline, but he's had to now take up the media duties ahead of the game due to what sources say in unbearable pain at the moment. 

Tottenham drew their game away at Goodison 2-2 and dropped out of the top four of the league table, but they have been boosted by the return of club captain Son Heung-min and midfielder Yves Bissouma to training this week. 

Son flew back into London 24 hours after South Korea crashed out of the Asian Cup at the semi-final stage while midfielder Bissouma arrived a day later after Mali threw away their lead to lose to hosts Ivory Coast at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations. 

Both have trained and hope to be involved against the Seagulls who responded to their 4-0 defeat to Luton with a thumping 4-1 win over rivals Crystal Palace. Tottenham are on the hunt for their fifth consecutive Premier League home win which makes this game delicately poised. 

Spurs will return to the top four of the league table if they can take all three points with Aston Villa not in action until Sunday when they host Manchester United.