Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi has provided an update on James Maddison's fitness after the midfielder picked up a shoulder problem during his side's Premier League opener.
Maddison, 29, had a restricted pre-season as Spurs took a cautious approach to his recovery from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, an injury that kept him sidelined for the majority of last season following surgery. Despite the limited buildup, he was named among the substitutes for the club's first match of the new campaign away at Brentford.
The England international was introduced from the bench, replacing Mikey Moore, and featured for the final 22 minutes as Tottenham suffered a heavy 3-0 loss at the Gtech Community Stadium. During that brief appearance, Maddison landed awkwardly on his shoulder, prompting a medical assessment.
Speaking ahead of Tottenham's Carabao Cup second-round tie against Charlton Athletic on Wednesday, De Zerbi addressed the extent of the issue, downplaying its severity while confirming the club would monitor the player closely.
"Maddison suffered a small injury in his shoulder," De Zerbi said in his pre-match press conference.
The Italian coach's comments suggest the setback is not considered serious, offering some reassurance to Tottenham supporters who watched their side struggle in the season-opening defeat. Nevertheless, given Maddison's recent history with long-term injury, the club is likely to remain careful in managing his workload as he continues working his way back to full match sharpness.
Maddison's ACL injury was a significant blow for Tottenham last term, robbing De Zerbi's predecessor of one of the squad's most creative influences for an extended period. His return to fitness had been eagerly anticipated by fans, and his brief cameo against Brentford marked a step forward in that process, even if the result on the pitch was disappointing.
The 3-0 defeat at Brentford represented a difficult start to the new Premier League season for Tottenham, raising early questions about the team's form and cohesion under De Zerbi. Adding a fresh, albeit minor, injury concern for one of their key attacking players is an unwelcome development at this early stage.
Attention now turns to the midweek Carabao Cup fixture against Charlton, where Tottenham will look to bounce back with a positive result. It remains to be seen whether Maddison will be involved in that match given the shoulder issue, though De Zerbi's characterization of the injury as "small" hints that a lengthy absence is not expected.
Further details on Maddison's recovery timeline and his availability for upcoming fixtures are likely to emerge as the week progresses. For now, Tottenham fans will be hoping the setback proves to be nothing more than a minor hiccup in the playmaker's ongoing return from a much more serious injury.
Based on reporting from Standard Sport (Football).