James Maddison is set to miss large swathes of the upcoming season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
The Tottenham midfielder fell to the pitch in the closing stages of Spurs’ pre-season clash with Newcastle on Sunday.
Maddison was eventually stretchered off the pitch in clear distress with what appeared to be a serious injury on the eve of the new Premier League season.
And Tottenham’s worst fears have been confirmed, with the club announcing that the Englishman has suffered an ACL injury which will rule him out for the majority of the season.
Maddison is now preparing for surgery before beginning his lengthy rehabilitation process.
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‘We can confirm that James Maddison will undergo surgery for a ruptured Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) in his right knee,’ the club said in a statement.
‘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.’
Speaking after the game, Thomas Frank confirmed that the injury was to the same knee which ruled Maddison out of the Europa League final at the end of last season.
‘James Maddison’s injury looks bad. It was a brutal moment,’ Frank said.
‘I think sometimes in life and football things can be both beautiful and brutal. That’s what we got today.
‘It looks like with Madders a bad injury and then on the other side unbelievable scenes for Son from his teammates and the respect from the Newcastle players.
‘We’re pretty sure it was the same knee he injured before.’
Maddison’s long-term injury may well force Tottenham into the transfer market, especially with fellow attacking midfielder Dejan Kulusevski also sidelined with an injury.
Spurs had appeared close to signing Morgan Gibbs-White, but the Nottingham Forest midfielder has now extended his contract at the City Ground after a dramatic late U-turn.
Mohammed Kudus could be deployed centrally, but the former West Ham star is most likely to be used on the left wing after the departure of Son Heung-min to LAFC.
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