Tottenham manager Conte to have gallbladder removed

(Reuters) - Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte will undergo surgery on Wednesday to remove his gallblader, the Premier League club said in a statement.

Conte, 53, has been diagnosed with cholecystitis, or inflammation of the gallbladder, and will take a break to focus on his recovery, the club said, without specifying when he would return.

"Antonio Conte recently became unwell with severe abdominal pain," Tottenham said. "Following a diagnosis of cholecystitis, he will be undergoing surgery to remove his gallbladder today and will return following a period of recuperation."

Conte was in the dugout at the weekend for Tottenham's 3-0 FA Cup fourth round win at Preston North End.

Spurs return to league action on Sunday when they host champions Manchester City. They are fifth in the standings with 36 points from 21 games.

(Reporting by Hritika Sharma in Bengaluru; editing by Barbara Lewis)