James Maddison is set to undergo surgery after rupturing his ACL during Tottenham Hotspur's pre-season friendly against Newcastle.
The midfielder was a 75th minute substitute and played just nine minutes before showing signs of injury. Maddison was stretchered off the pitch, completely distraught with his head in hands.
The injury is to his right knee - the same knee that saw him miss the end of the 2024/25 season, including Tottenham's Europa League triumph over Manchester United.
New Spurs head coach Thomas Frank labelled the injury as "brutal".
The club confirmed the England International will have surgery in the coming days.
We can confirm that James Maddison will undergo surgery for a ruptured Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) in his right knee.
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) August 7, 2025
We will be supporting you every step of the way, Madders 🤍
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What could another injury blow mean for Tottenham?
Before the pre-season friendly, Maddison last played and scored in Tottenham's Europa League semi-final first leg against Bodo/Glimt.
He was substituted off in the 65th minute and former head coach Ange Postecoglou confirmed Maddison's knee injury that ended his season.
The pre-season friendly on August 3 was Maddison's first time back on the pitch and it ended in heartbreak.
Spurs have been looking for an attacking midfielder over the summer transfer window, but will need one more now than ever.
Alongside Maddison's injury, Dejan Kulusevski will also miss the start of the new season after his knee surgery back in May.
Son Heung-min's spot needs replacing as well, after his 10-year tenure at the club ended when he joined Los Angeles FC on August 6.
Spur's current options to fill the gap could be Pape Sarr and new £53 million signing Mohammed Kudus - but will that be enough for the start of a new era at the North London club?
This could leave new boss Frank in a critical condition.
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