In a surprising turn of events, Tottenham Hotspur fans have reason to cheer as the midfield maestro James Maddison is set to make a roaring comeback after almost three months on the sidelines. The anticipation is palpable as manager Ange Postecoglou confirms Maddison’s fitness ahead of the highly anticipated FA Cup fourth-round clash against Manchester City on Friday night.
Having last featured on November 6 in a Premier League bout against Chelsea, where an unfortunate ankle injury forced him off during a 4-1 defeat, Maddison’s return couldn’t come at a better time for Spurs. The English midfielder, who made an instant impact following his summer move from Leicester, scored three goals and provided five assists in the 11 top-flight games he played for the Lilywhites.
Postecoglou, addressing the media in the pre-match press conference, delivered the eagerly awaited news, stating, “He’s trained all week and he is fine. He is available and ready to start – when someone is available, I assume they are ready to start. Whether they do or not depends on what I see with everyone else tomorrow, and I usually make those decisions on game day. The beauty of it is he’s got through the week well and is ready to go.”
Maddison’s absence during his injury layoff saw Spurs navigate through a challenging period, losing four out of five Premier League matches before regaining their form. His return now not only bolsters the squad but also fills the void left by the absence of star player Son Heung-min, currently representing South Korea at the Asian Cup. The manager is optimistic about Maddison stepping up, expressing, “There are not too many, not just in our squad but around the world, that are like Madders and we had to cover that absence in different ways. Maybe at the start of the year, we were a little bit more relying on him, and we’ve found out through this period we don’t have to be – but having him in there certainly adds in that space for sure.”
With Pape Sarr and Yves Bissouma still in action at the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal and Mali, respectively, Maddison’s return is a timely boost for Tottenham. Additionally, the availability of Dejan Kulusevski, who missed the recent 2-2 draw at Manchester United due to illness, further strengthens the squad’s depth.
As the Lilywhites prepare to face off against a formidable Manchester City side, the return of their midfield maestro adds an extra layer of excitement. The stage is set, and fans eagerly await the moment Maddison steps back onto the pitch, ready to showcase his prowess and potentially turn the tide in Tottenham’s favor. The FA Cup clash promises to be a thrilling encounter, with Maddison’s return adding an intriguing subplot to an already highly anticipated fixture.
