Spurs Midfielder Stretchered Off vs Newcastle As Fears of a Long-Term Knee Issue Grow.
Tottenham Hotspur’s James Maddison may be staring down another prolonged spell on the sidelines after suffering a potentially serious knee injury during Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Newcastle United in Seoul. The England international was subbed on for the final quarter of the match.
He went down clutching his right knee late in the game and was stretchered off in visible agony. Maddison has already been hampered by injury troubles since he joined Spurs in 2023. He has now reportedly aggravated the same knee that sidelined him at the end of last season.
🚨 James Maddison’s knee injury raises concern based on the non-contact mechanism while pressing an opponent.
— Corner To Crossbar (@CtoCrossbar) August 4, 2025
🔍 Possible outcomes:
Worst case: ACL tear
Other risks: MCL or meniscus damage
Best case: bone bruise
⚠️ Most ACL injuries happen without contact pic.twitter.com/7sIAuFF3lq
Maddison was seen leaving the stadium on crutches, prompting immediate fears of an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Thomas Frank addressed the situation post-match. He described the incident as ‘brutal’, and added, “We’re pretty sure it was the same knee he injured before.”
There has been no official medical update from Tottenham at this point, so speculations have intensified. Dr. Brar, speaking to Tottenham Hotspur News, warned: “Worst case here would be an ACL rupture, and he’s looking at nine-plus months for return to play – about 18 months for return to pre-injury levels.”
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He noted the possibility of a milder injury, such as a bone bruise or meniscus issue. However, he also deemed this unlikely given the reaction on the field. Sports Mole further reported that a club source confirmed Maddison has indeed suffered an ACL injury. This could rule him out for the entirety of the 2025–26 campaign.
The distress on the player’s face and reactions from teammates suggested that the setback is severe. Especially with the new Premier League season just around the corner. Creative options like Dejan Kulusevski are also nursing injuries. Hence, in this situation, Spurs find themselves in a difficult position.
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Reportedly, Tottenham are already exploring replacements. They have made contact with Manchester City over Jack Grealish. Morgan Gibbs-White had also been a candidate before extending his stay at Nottingham Forest. In total, Maddison has made 75 appearances for Spurs, contributing to 16 goals and 21 assists.
However, injuries have forced him to miss nearly a quarter of the club’s matches since his arrival. Should the diagnosis confirm an ACL rupture, this could represent a turning point in Maddison’s Tottenham future. Concerns are also growing over whether he will ever be able to rediscover his best form at the club.
soccer Football writer at The Playoffs. I’ve been obsessed with the beautiful game since I was a kid.. Eventually, I realized I could combine my passion for writing with my love for football, and I’ve never looked back. My favorite part of the job is everything—when you’re doing what you love, even a late-night deadline feels like extra time in a thrilling cup final. Lastly, Lionel Messi is the GOAT.
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