Ange Postecoglou has talked up his playmaker as he prepares to bring his fizzing energy back to revitalise Tottenham
It has been an excellent month so far for the grand Premier League comeback story. Kevin De Bruyne inspired Manchester City’s victory at Newcastle after five months out with a hamstring injury and Ivan Toney scored for Brentford as they secured a vital win over Nottingham Forest after his eight-month ban for breaching betting regulations.
The omens are therefore good for James Maddison as he prepares for his Tottenham return in the FA Cup tie at home to City on Friday night. The midfielder has been out since injuring an ankle against Chelsea in early November and it is more “big man is back” stuff – to borrow the line Wayne Rooney used when he pitched up at England’s 2006 World Cup training base after a will-he won’t-he fight for fitness.