Maddison ruled out for season as injury-hit Spurs face crunch Europa League tie

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has confirmed that midfielder James Maddison will miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury, dealing the club another major blow ahead of Thursday’s Europa League semi-final second leg against Bodo/Glimt.

Maddison, who scored in last week’s 3-1 first-leg win at home, sustained the injury during that match and subsequent scans revealed the 28-year-old England international would not return before the end of the campaign.

“Madders tweaked his knee in the first leg so he is out and will miss the rest of this season,” Postecoglou said. “It’s disappointing for him, because he’s been a big part of this latter part of the season for us, particularly in Europe.”

Spurs are already without captain Son Heung-min due to a foot problem, although Postecoglou revealed that striker Dominic Solanke is fit to play in the decisive clash in Norway. There remains a slim chance that Son could feature domestically before the end of the season, with the manager saying, “He hasn’t trained with the team yet.”

Tottenham, who last lifted silverware in 2008 and haven’t won a European trophy since the 1984 UEFA Cup, are aiming to reach a major European final to salvage what has otherwise been a disappointing season.

With Spurs languishing in 16th place in the Premier League, Postecoglou is under increasing pressure, but goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario stressed the team’s resilience despite a year riddled with injuries.

“We will not have Sonny and Madders tomorrow, but it is on us,” Vicario said. “The importance of the entire squad will be crucial.”

Spurs take a 3-1 lead into the second leg, but face a stern test away at a Bodo/Glimt side unbeaten at home in Europe this season.

(Source: AFP)