James Maddison has shared an emotional update on his ACL recovery, revealing he has returned to light training on the grass while acknowledging the “dark times” he faced during his lengthy absence from the Tottenham squad.
Tottenham Hotspur midfielder James Maddison has provided a candid update on his recovery from a long-term knee injury, admitting the process has been physically and mentally grueling.
Maddison ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during a pre-season friendly against Newcastle in August, an injury that has sidelined him for the entire 2025/26 campaign so far.
He recently revealed that the psychological toll was “probably just the same” as the physical pain during his initial rehabilitation.
Despite the significant setback, there is cautious optimism as Maddison has finally returned to light training on the grass at Hotspur Way.
While he is still in the “very early stages” of his recovery, the England international is determined to stay positive.
He spoke about the challenges of surgery and hospital visits, noting, “It’s always a worrying, stressful time… [I’m] definitely able to put myself in their shoes” when discussing the struggles of others.
The playmaker acknowledged that while he is making progress, a competitive return remains some distance away, likely ruling him out of major international commitments next summer.
Tottenham manager Thomas Frank has confirmed that while it is encouraging to see the midfielder back on the pitch, there is no specific timeframe for his return to the first team.
Maddison concluded, “I just want to be in a place, returning and having a smile on my face.”