Roberto De Zerbi reveals Pedro Porro conversation after latest Tottenham injury scare

Porro told De Zerbi before the Palace match he wasn't ready to start despite returning from a month-long hamstring injury; Gray started instead and was substituted at half-time due to a yellow card.

Roberto De Zerbi praised Pedro Porro's honesty after the Tottenham right-back decided not to risk starting against Crystal Palace on Monday, just weeks after returning from a hamstring injury suffered against Aston Villa in September.

Porro had been sidelined for a month and was only recently cleared to rejoin the matchday squad. Though expected to reclaim his starting spot, he told De Zerbi before kick-off that he preferred not to take the chance. "He decided before the game, was very honest with me, and I appreciate a lot because Premier League is 38 games not one game," De Zerbi said.

Archie Gray started in Porro's place and scored, but was replaced at half-time by the Spanish international, prompting concerns of an injury. De Zerbi clarified the change was tactical: Gray received a yellow card in the 15th minute for a foul on Daichi Kamada, and the manager wanted to avoid risking a second booking. Destiny Udogie also featured off the bench in his first appearance since a knee injury against Manchester United, though De Zerbi indicated he needs more consistent training before being ready to start.