James Maddison has opened up about the 'dark days' during his 12-month injury nightmare after making his return for Tottenham Hotspur on Monday night. The midfielder suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) knee injury last May, sidelining him for a prolonged period.
Maddison made a substitute appearance against Leeds United and described the reception from the fans as a moment that will 'live with him forever'. He also shared a touching moment with Leeds boss Daniel Farke, his former manager at Norwich City, who gave him a hug on the sidelines before he came on.
Reflecting on his recovery, Maddison said: 'It's been some dark days in the last year, especially since the surgery. It's been a really tough year for me mentally. But I'm at the end of the tunnel now so I can kind of look back on that with fondness because I'm as mentally strong as I can be after going through it.'
He credited his partner, parents, children, physios, and teammates for their support, adding that the 'dark days are sometimes the worst days'. Maddison also noted that the injury initially was diagnosed as a partial tear that did not require surgery, but it worsened during pre-season, leading to full surgery in South Korea.
Now back, Maddison hopes his return can aid Tottenham's fight to avoid relegation, as they are in a head-to-head battle with West Ham. He acknowledged a tough season with multiple manager changes, saying it has been difficult not being able to help the club on the pitch.
