DE ZERBI CONFIRMS MADDISON CAN FACE CRYSTAL PALACE

Roberto De Zerbi said “James is available” for Tottenham Hotspur’s Premier League match against Crystal Palace on Saturday. James Maddison came off in the 51st minute of Tottenham’s 2-0 win over Chelsea last weekend. His withdrawal prompted concern about a groin problem. De Zerbi also confirmed that Destiny Udogie is available after missing Tottenham’s last two matches.

Maddison has made two Premier League starts this season. In one of those appearances, he opened the scoring with a long-range shot in Tottenham’s 3-1 win over Coventry City. Xavi Simons remains out with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, while Dejan Kulusevski has made two substitute appearances this season following a serious knee problem. Udogie missed the wins over Coventry City and Chelsea after playing 74 minutes in a 1-1 draw with Manchester United. The Manchester United match was his 100th appearance for Tottenham.

De Zerbi said Udogie “can’t work consistently during the week” and had spent an extended period away from team training after the Manchester United match. He said Tottenham’s medical staff were helping decide when players should return. Tosin Adarabioyo, Lucas Bergvall, Mykhaylo Mudryk and Savio remain unavailable for the Crystal Palace match. Wilson Odobert is also out with a long-term knee injury, and Rodrigo Bentancur is suspended.