Antonio Conte has named a very strong team to face Nice in Tottenham's final friendly match before the Premier League resumes on Boxing Day. Having beaten Motherwell and Peterborough United Under-21s in behind-closed-door games so far this month, Spurs return to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with a match against the French side on the agenda.
The showdown against Nice is certainly a step up in their preparations as they get set for their league return against Brentford in five days' time. Having to make do without a handful of the first-team squad this month due to the 2022 World Cup taking place in Qatar, Conte has welcomed Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Son Heung-min back into his matchday squad.
Fraser Forster starts in goal having missed out in the past two games due to a minor knock, with Davinson Sanchez and Clement Lenglet continuing in the back three. The duo are joined by Japhet Tanganga in defence once again, with Eric Dier returning to the squad on the bench.
READ MORE: Tottenham vs Nice LIVE: Kick-off time, TV details, confirmed team news, goal and score updates
Djed Spence is not part of the matchday party and Emerson Royal comes into the XI in his place. Matt Doherty continues at left wing-back once again with Ryan Sessegnon named on the bench after his recent injury issue.
Hojbjerg returns to the team in central midfield, partnering Yves Bissouma in the middle. Rodrigo Bentancur remains out after sustaining an adductor muscle injury in his right leg at the World Cup, but Conte did indicate ahead of the Nice match that his player, who is suspended for the Brentford game, should be in contention to play against Aston Villa on New Year's Day.
Son is named on the bench following his return to training at Hotspur Way last weekend, thus meaning Dejan Kulusevski, Harvey White and Bryan Gil continue in the front three. Harry Kane, following England's World Cup quarter-final exit at the hands of France, is not part of the matchday squad.
Here is the team Conte has chosen for tonight's game:
Tottenham XI: Forster; Tanganga, Sanchez, Lenglet; Emerson, Hojbjerg, Bissouma, Doherty; Kulusevski, White, Bryan
Subs: Austin, Whiteman, Paskotsi, Dier, Davies, Sayers, Cesay, Sarr, Sessegnon, John, Lankshear, Son, Devine, Mundle, Santiago
READ NEXT:
What Tottenham's non-homegrown player numbers mean for Fabio Paratici's January transfer plans
Antonio Conte must avoid Arsenal repeat as Tottenham handed unique challenge in Man Utd battle
Antonio Conte must find Cristian Romero and Djed Spence answers ahead of Brentford vs Tottenham
What Cristian Romero did to Kylian Mbappe in World Cup final after Harry Kane celebration
Djed Spence and four Tottenham stars can use Nice game to alter Antonio Conte's first-team plans
