James Maddison Set to Play for Spurs Against Crystal Palace Despite Injury Concerns
Tottenham Hotspur is prepared to include James Maddison in their lineup when Crystal Palace visits this Saturday, alleviating concerns regarding the midfielder’s fitness. Maddison left the field with an apparent injury during Spurs’ 2-0 victory over Chelsea, prompting worries about his condition.
The playmaker has faced challenges early in the season as he continues to recover from a significant anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained in May. However, Spurs manager Roberto De Zerbi confirmed that Maddison will be available for selection against Palace, stating, “This week he didn’t work like the other players, but for tomorrow he is available and he is a special player for us.”
De Zerbi acknowledged the need for caution with players returning from lengthy injuries but emphasized that Maddison has worked hard over the past four or five weeks. “It’s not a problem if he loses two days of training, but we must assess the risks of reinjury,” he added.
In addition to Maddison, defender Destiny Udogie will also be ready for the encounter with Palace. Udogie has missed recent matches due to a knee issue but has returned to training. De Zerbi commented on his situation, noting that while Udogie is once again fit, he has dealt with multiple injury challenges this season.
Spurs, currently soaring after their historic win at Stamford Bridge—marking their first victory there in eight years and only their second away win against Chelsea in the Premier League—aim to maintain their momentum. De Zerbi stressed that the team must remain focused and driven, aiming to please their fans by achieving long-term goals rather than resting on recent victories.
“We have not achieved our goal. We want our fans to be happy, but not now, at the end of the season,” De Zerbi said. “We need to keep improving our mentality and spirit to win successive games.”
