James Maddison has been declared fit to play as Tottenham Hotspur prepare to host Crystal Palace, providing manager Roberto De Zerbi with a significant boost ahead of the Premier League fixture. Maddison, who had recently returned from a long injury layoff and started only his second game since May 2025 in last weekend’s 2-0 victory at Chelsea, raised concerns when he was substituted in the 51st minute after appearing to limp.
Despite initial fears, De Zerbi confirmed that Maddison is available for selection, emphasizing the midfielder’s importance to the team both for his skill and character. “James is available. This week he didn’t work like the other players, but he is available and is a special player for us,” De Zerbi said. He further explained that players returning from extended injuries require additional effort in training but noted Maddison has been working hard over the past four to five weeks. The coach also highlighted the need to avoid risking further injury, given the importance of squad depth for the ongoing campaign.
In addition to Maddison, Destiny Udogie is also set to return after missing recent matches due to a knee problem. The Italian full back’s attendance comes after he was sidelined for games against Coventry and Chelsea, marking his second injury setback of the season. De Zerbi described Udogie as a “problematic player in terms of injuries” who struggles to maintain consistent training, though he remains available for selection.
Tottenham enter the match on the back of a historic triumph at Chelsea, securing only their second league victory at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League era and their first in eight years. The club aims to build on this momentum by pursuing a third consecutive win for the first time since 2024, a milestone De Zerbi sees as critical in their quest for sustained progress.
Despite the recent successes, De Zerbi urged his team and supporters to remain focused on long-term objectives rather than immediate celebrations. “We have not achieved our goal. We want our fans to be happy, but not now, at the end of the season. Now we have to push,” he said. The manager stressed the importance of maintaining a strong mentality and increasing the collective appetite for victories, citing the leadership qualities within the squad. Among the leaders he named were Andy Robertson, Micky van de Ven, Pedro Porro, JP van Hecke, Sandro Tonali, Rodrigo Bentancur, Tosin Adarabioyo, Ben Davies, and Maddison himself.
With squad depth and experience helping drive the team forward, Tottenham aim to translate their recent breakthrough into consistent performance as they face Crystal Palace at their home ground.