Tottenham Team News: Maddison and Udogie Fit for Palace

James Maddison is available for Tottenham Hotspur’s Premier League home match against Crystal Palace on Saturday (Oct 31), manager Roberto De Zerbi said at his pre-match press conference on Friday (Oct 30), giving a boost to the latest Tottenham team news.

Destiny Udogie has also been cleared to play in the game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which kicks off at 5.30pm UK time, according to the club.

Maddison cleared despite missed training

The midfielder had to come off early in the second half of Spurs’ 2-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge the previous Saturday, the club reported. Football website To The Lane And Back said Maddison appeared to have picked up a groin injury in that match and had been considered doubtful for the Palace fixture.

De Zerbi told reporters that Maddison did not train like the rest of the squad during the week, but would be available for the match.

De Zerbi said players returning from long injuries need to do more work than others, adding that Maddison had been training hard and consistently for four or five weeks, so missing two days was not a problem.

“He is a special player for us,” De Zerbi said, describing Maddison as having characteristics that set him apart from everyone else.

Udogie back from injury

Udogie missed Tottenham’s last two matches, against Coventry City and Chelsea, the club said. To The Lane And Back reported he had been dealing with a minor knee problem.

De Zerbi confirmed Udogie is available but described him as “another problematic player in terms of injuries”, explaining, as quoted by the site, that he cannot work consistently during the weeks.

Tottenham team news: players still out

Lucas Bergvall, Tosin and Savio remain sidelined for Saturday’s match, while Rodrigo Bentancur will serve the last game of his three-match suspension, the club said.

Xavi Simons, Wilson Odobert and Mykhailo Mudryk are also still out with longer-term injuries, according to Tottenham.

Spurs go into the game after back-to-back wins over Coventry and Chelsea. To The Lane And Back noted that a victory against Palace could lift them into the top half of the Premier League table.

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