Roberto De Zerbi issues James Maddison injury update surprising Tottenham no-show

Maddison has continually struggled for fitness this season and has not played since coming off with a suspected groin injury against Chelsea last month.

De Zerbi has insisted Maddison is fit and has named him in the matchday squad in each of Spurs’ last two games against Crystal Palace and Leeds.

The Italian, though, neglected to turn to the 29-year-old in either game, raising concerns that he was still struggling for fitness.

Asked about Maddison’s situation, De Zerbi said he had thought about bringing him on in the closing stages against Leeds before opting to bring on 18-year-old Luca Williams-Barnett instead for just his second ever senior appearance.

“James, I thought (about bringing him on) in the last substitution before Luca Williams-Barnett, but I saw (Mohammed) Kudus very tired,” De Zerbi said.

“And James didn’t work until Thursday, Thursday he worked half part of the training yesterday. And in the last 15 minutes maybe could be a good solution, but I decided to make that change because Luca in the winger position, is better than Maddison.”

Spurs will head into the international break sweating over the fitness of Mathys Tel after he was spotted leaving Elland Road on crutches, with a protective boot on his left foot following a heavy challenge from Jayden Bogle.

De Zerbi has admitted the injury suffered by Tel could be a “bad” one.