James Maddison is not expected to play for Tottenham again this season after suffering what is believed to be a significant knee injury, talkSPORT understands.
Sources fear Maddison could be sidelined for a prolonged period if he requires surgery with scan results expected within the next 24 hours.
Maddison’s season looks to be over ahead of Spurs’ Europa League semi-final second leg[/caption]
The news is far from ideal for Spurs with their season on the line on Thursday night.
Ange Postecoglou’s side lead Bodo/Glimt 3-1 in the Europa League semi-finals and victory in the final would bring their first silverware since 2008 after a disastrous Premier League campaign.
Maddison started in that first leg at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and scored the second goal before being taken off injured in the 65th minute.
Both he and fellow regular starter Dominic Solanke were left out of the squad on Sunday as Spurs drew 1-1 with West Ham in the league.
Asked about the duo post-match, Postecoglou said: “We’re pretty hopeful with Dom that it will be OK, he’s improving every day but it made no sense to bring him on today.
“Maddison’s a bit more of a concern until we get some more information but he’s the one that’s more of a concern.”
We now understand that the news isn’t good at all, with Maddison not expected back until the new campaign.
The English midfielder has been key this season, making 45 appearances in all competitions, the fifth most in the squad.
He’s also level with Solanke and Heung-min Son as the north London side’s most productive player with his 22 contributions made up of 12 goals and ten assists.
Yet domestically it’s been an unmitigated disaster, with Spurs on course to finish a record low of 16th in the league.
That has seen heavy rumours that manager Postecoglou could be replaced, but Maddison isn’t so sure.
“We’re behind the manager, 100 per cent, he’s a great man,” the 28-year-old said.
“He’s the first person to tell you and I’ve said it myself that we’ve had a poor season, especially in the league.
“We’ve been better in Europe, and it’s probably been an acceptable one and we can all take a collective responsibility for that.
“But he’s my manager, he’s my gaffer, and I respect him an awful amount.
“The narrative is something we players try to keep away from because it’s not something we like seeing, you lot talking about the manager’s position.
“I just know that I come into work every day and see the lads listening and taking on the messages about how he wants to play and trying to do what’s best for this club.
“We’re in a very good position in Europe and we can still have a very special season under his management so I will continue to do that until the day he isn’t here, I respect him an awful amount.”
Maddison was also asked if the fans deserve Europa success for such a poor season, but got his back up at the question.
“We definitely want to reward them with something special for the support they’ve given us because the league hasn’t been good enough, definitely,” he began.
“But it hurts as well, let’s not create the narrative that it’s just… yes it’s us players out there definitely and we take responsibility for that, but it hurts me a lot.
“We’re having a poor season, but this is why we’re so motivated for this competition because the season can still be so special.”
