Spurs' Maddison fit to face Palace - De Zerbi

Published3 hours ago

Tottenham midfielder James Maddison is available to face Crystal Palace on Saturday despite an injury scare last week, manager Roberto De Zerbi says.

The 29-year-old England international limped off in the 51st minute of Spurs' 2-0 victory at Chelsea.

It sparked worries about Maddison's fitness, after he missed the majority of last season with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

Maddison then fractured his shoulder in Tottenham's opening weekend defeat at Brentford this season, before returning to the starting line-up earlier this month when he scored a spectacular goal in a 3-1 win against Coventry.

When asked about Maddison's condition, De Zerbi said he will be "available" for the visit of Palace.

"This week he didn't work like the other players, but for tomorrow he is available and he is a special player for us," said De Zerbi.

"For James Maddison or the players who are coming from a long injury, they have to work more than the other players, but he has already four or five weeks - he is working very hard and consistently.

"So, I think it's not a problem if he loses two days [training], but then we have to analyse if we take the risk or not."

Tottenham have beaten Coventry and Chelsea since Maddison's return to the starting line-up, with the club 14th in the Premier League after climbing out of the relegation zone.

Maddison joined Tottenham from Leicester City in 2023 on a five-year contract in a deal worth £40m.

He's scored 17 goals and provided 21 assists in 85 appearances for the north London club.

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