Tottenham get James Maddison injury boost ahead of Crystal Palace game
Maddison was forced off in the 51st minute of Spurs’ 2-0 win at Chelsea.
Tottenham playmaker James Maddison is available for Saturday’s visit of Crystal Palace despite suffering an injury scare during the victory at Chelsea.
Maddison sparked more fitness fears when he limped off in the 51st minute of Spurs’ 2-0 victory at Chelsea.
After Maddison had endured a slow start to the campaign with caution sounded over his fitness following a May return from anterior cruciate ligament damage, his substitution last Saturday looked to be another setback.
But ahead of the Palace game Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi said: “James is available.
“This week he didn’t work like the other players, but for tomorrow he is available and he is a special player for us. A special player because of the character and he has unique characteristics.
“For James Maddison or the players who are coming from a long injury, they have to work more than the other players, but he has already four or five weeks he is working very hard and consistently.
“So, I think it’s not a problem if he loses two days (training), but then we have to analyse if we take risk or not.
“If we take risk like Pedro Porro (against Aston Villa) or (Dejan) Kulusevski.
“We are lucky to have a big squad and it’s important to not take risk with new injuries.”
Destiny Udogie is also available after he sat out wins over Coventry and Chelsea with a knee problem and De Zerbi thinks Savio will return after the November international break.
While Tottenham will target securing a third consecutive league victory for the first time in 616 days on Saturday, De Zerbi insisted there will be no complacency.
“For me nothing has changed. We started this pre-season with a long project and we have to stay calm and clear in the head to work to build something better than when we came here,” De Zerbi insisted.
“One win or one defeat more, nothing will change. We have to analyse to improve the results but to improve the results we have to improve all aspects.”
Mateus Fernandes starred to help Spurs claim an overdue win at Chelsea, but De Zerbi revealed he spoke with the midfielder to warn the Portuguese youngster to ignore hype around his performance.
“The world is going too fast. Two weeks ago, Mateus Fernandes, £80million, he was a disaster signing, a disaster player, he’s not good enough,” De Zerbi said.
“Now it changes. One game you play well, you are top like Luka Modric and the day after you are a stupid player, you can’t play.
“Mateus Fernandes was a very good player before Chelsea. He’s the same player after Chelsea.
“He has to think to improve because as a potential, he can become one of the best midfielders in Europe in the next future.
“He was a great signing for Tottenham. He’s a potential top player for Tottenham and for me now, for sure, but like Savio, like Xavi Simons, like Lucas Bergvall, like Archie Gray.”