Tottenham: James Maddison reveals when he is targeting return from serious knee injury | OneFootball

Spurs midfielder is recovering from the ACL injury he sustained in pre-season

On the comeback trail: James Maddison

Getty Images

Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Matt Verri

Sign up

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

James Maddison is hoping to return from his ACL injury before the end of the season.

The 28-year-old suffered the injury in pre-season against Newcastle, with Thomas Frank describing it as a "brutal" moment.

Maddison was hampered by injuries last season too, first spending a spell on the sidelines with a calf strain and then missing the end of the campaign, including the Europa League final, with a knee issue.

The midfielder has been documenting his recovering on his YouTube channel and in his latest video he provided a timeline for his return to action.

Maddison suffered a knee injury against Newcastle in pre-season

Getty Images

Maddison was told by his knee surgeon that six months out was the best-case scenario but the Spurs star does not want to risk pushing for such a swift comeback.

“I've already looked [at the average time out],” Maddison said.

“If it's eight months, six months isn't a question. The stage I'm at now, this needs to be right now.

“I'm 28, I'm going to be 29 when I return, I'm in my prime, really. These are my peak years ahead of me. I need to come back and I need to stay fit. So actually I'm not going to be pushing to say 'oh why are you taking so long', sort of thing.

“But if it gets to eight months and we're flying or whatever, if I'm in the right frame, that will allow me to play this season won't it, towards the end.”

Although he will miss much of the season, Maddison has still been named in Spurs' leadership group.

Frank has picked Maddison, Ben Davies, Guglielmo Vicario and Micky van de Ven as the quartet to support captain Cristian Romero.

“He is a very positive person and lively is not the word, but he’s an extravert,” Frank said of the decision to include Maddison.

“He’s positive, smiling, interacting with everyone and that is a big plus. And he also gets around to everyone and interested in leadership so it was quite natural.”