Igor Tudor teases 'nice surprise' as Mohammed Kudus and James Maddison step up Tottenham injury returns | OneFootball

Spurs have three weeks off following this weekend and could be handed more fitness boosts

Igor Tudor has revealed Mohammed Kudus is close to returning to Tottenham first-team training, while James Maddison could return before the end of the season.

He was expected to miss the full campaign as he recovered, but has recently been seen in individual training at Hotspur Way.

Kudus, meanwhile, has been sidelined since January 4, when he sustained a hamstring injury in a draw with Sunderland.

Igor Tudor has now delivered a positive update on both, saying he expects a “nice surprise” during the March international break.

Speaking to the press on Friday, he said: “We have these three big weeks after the game on Sunday.

“[Kudus will return for] probably some part of things with the squad, maybe in ten days? I'm not sure, we need to check, but he is progressing very well, already with the ball.

“Rodrigo [Bentancur]as well, Maddison as well. We hope the medical staff will make us some nice surprise. It will be very, very, very important to have them.”

Asked if Maddison could play this season, Tudor said: “Yes. Maddison is already doing interesting things with the ball, sprinting as well. I saw him, he’s positive.”

There was no positive updates on Dejan Kulusevski, though.

The Swedish forward has missed the entirety of this campaign after undergoing knee surgery in May, and does not appear to be close to a return despite video emerging of him rehabbing at Hotspur Way recently.

Kulusevski was absent from Graham Potter’s Sweden squad for next week’s World Cup qualifier against Ukraine.

Asked if he had an update on Kulusevski’s condition, Tudor said: “No, not yet.”