'It doesn't look great' - Ange Postecoglou reflects on season-ending Spurs injury | OneFootball

James Maddison is expected to miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury in what's a huge blow to Tottenham Hotspur's Europa League chances.

While few would suggest Maddison has been outstanding for a Spurs team that's woefully underperformed in the Premier League this season, he does top the club's combined goals and assists standings with 22 in all competitions.

The England international has also played a key role in Spurs' Europa League journey, recording his sixth goal contribution of their continental campaign in the 3-1 semi-final first-leg victory over Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt last week.

Ange Postecoglou's side are thus in an excellent position to reach the final, but it looks like they'll have to go all the way in the absence of their creative talisman. Maddison suffered a knee injury after Dominic Solanke scored Spurs' third from the penalty spot in the first leg, subsequently missing their forgettable 1-1 draw with West Ham on Sunday.

Postecoglou ominously told the BBC that Maddison's knee injury "doesn't look great" after the weekend's result, and further reports on Monday suggest the midfielder won't play again this season.

Initial scans on Friday had revealed Maddison's injury to be worse than first feared, with ligament damage suspected - the extent of which will become more apparent over the next 48 hours.

Spurs are aiming to reach their second European final this century after 2019's Champions League appearance against Liverpool. However, Bodo/Glimt's late goal in north London has handed the Norwegian side hope of staging a second-leg turnaround in their unique Arctic home conditions.

Should Spurs hold on, they could face Manchester United, who are 3-0 up in their semi-final against Athletic Club, in the final at San Mames on 21 May, as they aim to end their 17-year wait for a trophy.

In Maddison's absence, Dejan Kulusevski will likely be tasked with filling the sizeable void in Tottenham's midfield but the Swedish star has struggled for form since recovering from a foot injury. Postecoglou also lost Lucas Bergvall to an ankle issue picked up just before the first leg, so Yves Bissouma came back from the cold to start last Thursday.