Tottenham Hotspur have been dealt a significant setback as key midfielder James Maddison is expected to miss several weeks of action due to an ankle injury sustained during their recent Premier League clash.
The England international, who has been instrumental in Spurs' strong start to the season, was forced off during their 4-1 defeat to Chelsea and subsequent scans have revealed more serious damage than initially feared.
Postecoglou's Selection Headache
Manager Ange Postecoglou now faces a major selection dilemma, with Maddison likely to be unavailable until the new year. The creative playmaker had formed an impressive partnership with Son Heung-min and Dejan Kulusevski, contributing three goals and five assists in just 11 league appearances.
Impact on Tottenham's Campaign
Maddison's absence comes at a particularly challenging time for Spurs, who face crucial fixtures against Manchester City, West Ham and Newcastle in the coming weeks. The 26-year-old's creativity and set-piece delivery will be sorely missed as the North London club look to maintain their push for Champions League qualification.
Medical staff at Hotspur Way are reportedly working around the clock to accelerate Maddison's recovery, but sources suggest the club won't take any risks with his rehabilitation given his importance to the team's long-term ambitions.
Possible Replacements
Postecoglou may turn to Giovani Lo Celso or young academy product Alfie Devine to fill the void, though neither offers quite the same attacking threat as the former Leicester City star. The injury could also prompt Tottenham to reconsider their January transfer plans.
Fans will be anxiously awaiting further updates, with the club expected to provide a more detailed timeline for Maddison's return in the coming days.
