Igor Tudor has issued a positive update on the fitness of James Maddison who has been out since damaging cruciate knee ligaments last summer.
Maddison was injured on Tottenham’s pre-season tour in South Korea and has not played since May, when he suffered a different knee injury in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final against Bodo/Glimt.
‘We hope the medical staff will make us nice surprise in next few weeks,’ said Tudor and, when asked if Maddison could play before the end of the season, he added: ‘Yes, he is already doing interesting things with the ball, sprinting as well. I saw him, he is positive.’
Maddison has issued footage on social media of his rehabilitation, sprinting and turning to test his body alignment.
Mohamed Kudus and Rodrigo Bentancur, who have both been out injured since January, are also expected to be closing in on a return after the upcoming international break.
Spurs face Nottingham Forest on Sunday but will not play again until a trip to Sunderland on April 12, because they are out of the FA Cup and the Champions League.
James Maddison (right) on the sidelines this month with Tottenham team-mates (left) Lucas Bergvall and Radu Dragusin as he catches up with former Spurs man Brennan Johnson, who was there with Crystal Palace
‘We have this big three weeks after the game on Sunday,’ said Tudor when asked when Kudus would be back. ‘Maybe 10 days, we need to check but he is progressing well. Rodrigo as well. Maddison as well.’
There was no update on Dejan Kulusevski who, like Maddison, has not played all season.
Joao Palhinha is expected to return from concussion injury against Forest on Sunday and Tudor is confident Dominic Solanke will be available.
Solanke missed Wednesday’s game against Atletico with a hip injury and did not train on Friday but the interim Spurs boss expects him to train on Saturday and be part of the squad on Sunday.
