James Maddison injury details emerge as Tottenham, Thomas Frank face worst

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder James Maddison has suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury which could potentially put the Englishman out for the entire 2025-26 season, Sports Mole has been told.

The 28-year-old was brought off the bench for the final 15 minutes of Sunday's 1-1 draw with Newcastle United in South Korea, only his second appearance for Spurs since a previous knee injury towards the end of last season.

However, the luckless midfielder then suffered another nasty-looking issue towards the end of the Seoul friendly, which left him writhing in agony on the ground after he awkwardly jarred his right leg on the turf.

Maddison appeared inconsolable as he was stretchered off the field, and the England international was then pictured making his way through the mixed zone on crutches, sparking further fears of a serious problem.

Thomas Frank confirmed at his post-game press conference that the midfielder had hurt the same knee he injured in the spring, and a source has now told Sports Mole that Maddison has sustained an ACL injury.

How long Tottenham's Maddison could be out for with ACL injury

Whenever a player drops to the turf clutching their knee with nobody else around them, the dreaded three letters ACL immediately spring to mind, and Spurs' worst fears may have now been realised.

A complete rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament represents one of the most serious injuries an elite athlete can sustain, and if Maddison has indeed torn his ACL, the midfielder might miss the whole of the 2025-26 season.

A full recovery from an ACL tear can sometimes take as long as 12 months, although there is a chance that Maddison could be back for the latter stages of the campaign, as Rodri returned for Manchester City before the end of last season after his severe injury in September.

Alternatively, if Maddison has only suffered a partial tear, the 28-year-old might be back in action just before Christmas, and a mild strain would only render him unavailable for between two and four weeks.

However, the anguish on Maddison's face and concern on his teammates' faces suggest that his injury was not a minor one, although Tottenham are still yet to announce the official diagnosis and estimated recovery time.

Maddison suffers ACL injury: Will Spurs sign a replacement?

Barely a couple of hours have passed since Maddison was stretchered off, but Sports Mole has been informed that Spurs have already put in an enquiry for Manchester City attacker Jack Grealish.

The Lilywhites have leapfrogged Antonio Conte's Napoli in the race for the 29-year-old, although it is unclear whether the Europa League winners are pursuing a loan deal or a permanent move.

Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White would have been a natural replacement for Maddison in the number 10 role, but the 25-year-old has signed a new contract at the City Ground after the Garibaldi threatened legal action over a supposed illegal approach from Spurs.

Tottenham are still missing Dejan Kulusevski due to his own knee injury, which will not heal in time for the start of the season, although Lucas Bergvall and 21-year-old Alfie Devine are other alternatives in the Maddison role.

However, the latter did not make the journey to Asia for Tottenham's pre-season tour in order to explore a loan move elsewhere.