Spurs news: Radu Dragusin issues injury update with comeback 'really close' | OneFootball

Defender hopes to come back stronger after suffering an ACL injury

Radu Dragusin said he is "really close to being back as normal" after playing his first minutes in more than nine months.

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"I learned to be patient and to never take anything for granted," Dragusin said.

"Because one day you are on the top of the mountain, next second you are with this kind of injury. This is life, it's only to make me stronger, make me more resilient. I've never given up and things are really close to being back as normal."

Back on the grass: Radu Dragusin

John Walton/PA Wire

Dragusin played 45 minutes against Leyton Orient, as was planned.

He is also expected to take part in some training with Romania during the international break without playing, but the defender emphasised the significance of getting minutes in a match.

"It’s different, you can train how much you want, but once you are there in 11v11 on a big pitch, it's different, you can't really replicate it in the training," Dragusin said.

"It’s the details like the sprints back, the adversity, the exposure that you get as a defender, it was a good day.

"It felt good, first minutes in 10 months out, finally minutes in the legs and I just have to build on this."

James Maddison was in attendance at the match, with Spurs posting footage on social media showing the midfielder giving Dragusin a hug before he went onto the pitch.

Maddison is currently out with an ACL injury himself, and it remains uncertain whether he will return before the end of the season, but he paid tribute to Dragusin as an inspiration in his recovery.

"Day off for me today," Maddison said.

"But couldn't miss Radu's first minutes back after nine months. I've seen firsthand how hard this man has worked to be in that position ready to play again.

"His attitude, honest to God, keeps me so motivated every day. Proud of ya, mush."

James Maddison injured his ACL in a pre-season meeting with Newcastle

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Dragusin added it "meant a lot" to have Maddison watching on from the sidelines and revealed the support he has had from him over the past nine months.

"Honestly everybody, but you know, especially Madders, he was there when I got injured, he always was next to me to give me a laugh in a difficult day," he said.

"For him to be here next to me, it really meant a lot, because you know, this is how we are here, we are a family, we don't let anyone down in the hard moments, so I'm really grateful to be part of this group."