Team news | Roberto’s latest on Maddison
Roberto De Zerbi says James Maddison’s shoulder injury is ‘not a big problem’ but the midfielder remains doubtful for our Premier League clash against Newcastle United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday (5.30pm).
‘Madders’ came off the bench after 67 minutes of Saturday’s Premier League opener at Brentford, but then missed the midweek win against Charlton in the Carabao Cup due to his shoulder issue.
Asked about Maddison’s availability in his pre-match press conference on Friday, Roberto explained: “James Maddison has not a big problem, but pain in the left shoulder. He’s working, but I don't know if he's available for tomorrow.”
It was put to Roberto later in the press conference if there needed to be a degree of patience with Madders, following his serious knee injury last summer.
“I think with James, we have to find the right plan,” said Roberto. “We have to work consistently for three, four weeks, and then he's a different player - a different player on the pitch, outside the pitch. He has a personality, he has experience. He's a very positive guy. We are lucky to have James in our team.”