James Maddison is expected to miss almost the entirety of the new Premier League season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
The Spurs playmaker, who was forced off on a stretcher after suffering a nasty blow to the knee during Tottenham’s pre-season clash with Newcastle last week, will now undergo surgery and begin his lengthy recovery.
Maddison, 28, suffered the injury during an innocuous challenge and Frank confirmed it was sustained to the same knee he had injured last season, a setback which saw him miss the Europa League final win against Manchester United.
He underwent several tests after arriving back in the UK, and the club’s initial fears that he had damaged his cruciate ligament have been realised.
It presents a nightmare for new Spurs boss Thomas Frank, who will now be without the influential midfielder for large portions of the campaign.
A Spurs statement read: ‘We can confirm that James Maddison will undergo surgery for a ruptured Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) in his right knee.
James Maddison is expected to miss almost the entirety of the new Premier League season
Maddison suffered an ACL injury during Tottenham’s pre-season friendly against Newcastle
‘The 28-year-old midfielder suffered the injury during our pre-season friendly against Newcastle United on Sunday in Seoul.
‘His surgery will take place in the coming days and, following that, James will then begin his rehabilitation with our medical team.
‘Everyone at Tottenham Hotspur wishes James a full and speedy recovery. We will be supporting him every step of the way.’
Maddison collapsed to the pitch in agony after rupturing the ligament and his team-mates were visibly distressed while he received treatment from club physios. He was then taken away on a stretcher and had his head buried in his hands.
The England international is then said to have departed the stadium on crutches.
Recovery from the procedure will keep him on the treatment table for several months, but a definitive timeframe has not been confirmed by Spurs.
Frank said after the friendly draw with Newcastle that it was a ‘bad injury’, which cruelly came shortly after Maddison had returned to match fitness.
The hammer blow could force Spurs to turn to the transfer market again, despite already swooping for Mohammed Kudus from West Ham in a £55million deal.
Spurs also missed out on Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White.
More to follow.
