(Credit: Imago)

Jacob Raw

Wed 15 April 2026 16:40, UK

Tottenham Hotspur have banked on James Maddison’s return all season, but recent footage of his inclusion in training has been deemed all part of his rehabilitation plan.

Spurs have been without Maddison all campaign, and it’s no reason as to why the Lilywhites now find themselves 18th place in the Premier League and on the brink of relegation.

The attacking midfielder picked up an ACL injury during pre-season, and there have been hope from some Tottenham fans of his return after recent footage saw him training at Hotspur Way.

Roberto De Zerbi could do with the Englishman for the run-in, as Spurs sit two points behind West Ham with only six games left to play.

However, Maddison is not expected back “anytime soon” in a new update from Sky Sports journalist Uma Gurav.

Uma Gurav reveals the latest on James Maddison’s injury

Tottenham have lost seven of their last eight Premier League games, and have only picked up five points since the start of 2026, all of which have come as draws.

Maddison racked up 22 goals and assists in all competitions under Ange Postecoglou last season, but has been unable to feature once this campaign.

Maddison’s absence has been detrimental for Tottenham, and as seen in the table above, he was a bright spark for Spurs last season, completing 1.64 dribbles per 90, 1.20 key passes per 90, and creating 41 chances in just 21 starts.

While speaking live on Sky Sports from Hotspur Way this Wednesday, Gurav provided the latest on the 29-year-old, and it’s not exactly good news in terms of this season.

Gurav said: “Maddison, who picked up that ACL injury in pre-season, was back in training. But, it’s been stressed to me that it’s not part of potentially getting him back into the matchday squad any time soon.

“It’s part of a reintegration into the squad, which will be very gradual, so unfortunately, Spurs fans, I don’t think you can expect him to be in a matchday squad anytime soon. But it’s still good news regarding his recovery.”

As seen in the graphic above, Maddison’s Sofascore rating of 7.30 shows just how good he was on a consistent basis. His nine goals and seven assists from last campaign prove that he’s been sorely missed in the final third.

Tottenham’s attacking stats show they are doomed without Maddison

Maddison also knew how to battle and won 53 per cent of his duels last season, a certain type of bite that current Spurs attackers are missing.

The Lilywhites have been toothless in attack this campaign, and have only scored 25 of their 40 league goals from open play.

They have the fourth-worst total of xG, which currently stands at 33.3, and it’s a mystery as to how Spurs are overperforming in this department by 6.7 goals.

Maddison averaged a goal 0.45 times every 90 minutes last season, and that type of number has been missing in the squad this season.

With any remaining hope of his return now destroyed, it’s hard to see where De Zerbi will find another attacking spark from, as relegation looks a reality.