James Maddison Set to Test Fitness as Tottenham Hosts Crystal Palace
Tottenham Hotspur has received promising news ahead of their match against Crystal Palace, with James Maddison confirmed as available to play. The England midfielder’s presence is crucial for Spurs, who have limited players with his unique ability to create opportunities. Maddison’s fitness issues have been a concern for months, making his availability significant.
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Roberto De Zerbi, the Spurs manager, confirmed Maddison’s status despite less-than-ideal preparation. “James is available,” De Zerbi stated, acknowledging the player’s limited training this week. “This week, Maddison didn’t work like other players, but for tomorrow he is available. He is a special player for us. He has unique characteristics.”
Maddison’s fitness remains a priority for Tottenham, especially since he has returned from anterior cruciate ligament surgery sustained before the end of last season and a subsequent shoulder injury in September. His early inclusion in the team during the 2-0 victory over Chelsea raised eyebrows, particularly as he scored during his first competitive appearance since May 2025 against Coventry. However, he was substituted shortly after half-time due to a suspected groin problem, which raised concerns following an impressive but brief return.
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Fortunately, Maddison faces no new injuries that would prevent him from participating in the game against Crystal Palace. This availability is crucial for a Spurs team that is still striving for consistency and requiring quality players in the final third.
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Destiny Udogie Returns as Options Dwindle
In addition to Maddison, De Zerbi provided an update on Destiny Udogie, who has missed the last two matches due to a knee injury. “He [Udogie] is available,” the manager reported, while also noting that Udogie’s fitness has been inconsistent. “He is another problematic player in terms of injuries now because he can’t work consistently during the weeks. After United he didn’t work with us, with the group for a long time, and this season is different because we have great medical staff and we are taking the right decision for each player in the right moment and in the right situation.”
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This indicates careful management of Udogie’s fitness, as he has shown the potential to contribute but has not been consistently available for training.
Injuries Continue to Challenge Tottenham Ahead of Palace Match
Tottenham faces additional challenges with several players still sidelined. De Zerbi confirmed that Tosin, Lucas Bergvall, Mykhailo Mudryk, and Savio remain unavailable. Bergvall is recovering from a knee injury, Mudryk has not played since early September due to an ankle issue, and Savio is dealing with muscle-related troubles.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace visits with inconsistency, sitting at 17th in the league with only two wins this season. Under manager Pierre Sage, the team has struggled to find their footing, despite a recent 1-0 victory over Fulham in the Carabao Cup, thanks to Eddie Nketiah.
For Tottenham, the stakes are clear. With Maddison back and Udogie potentially contributing, they seek to secure three points at home against a low-confidence Palace side.
