Tottenham star stretchered off after 'brutal' pre-season injury in big blow for Thomas Frank

Ben McCaffrey

By Ben McCaffrey


Published: 03/08/2025

- 15:54

The midfielder has a history of injury problems

Tottenham Hotspur star James Maddison has suffered a major injury blow during a pre-season friendly against Newcastle on Sunday.

The 28-year-old only entered the field in the 75th minute, but lasted just 11 minutes before being forced off the field with a nasty injury to his knee.


The midfielder, who has a history of injuries, pulled up off the ball and took himself to the touchline with his hands on his head, as though he knew the severity already.

Shortly after, the stretcher was brought out to take Maddison down the tunnel, with the English international in visible pain with his hands on his face.

James Maddison

James Maddison sustained the injury after an innocuous challenge from Anthony Elange

|

Getty

After the game, new Spurs boss Thomas Frank confirmed the nature of the injury was similar to the one that kept him out of the back-end of last season.

"James Maddison’s injury looks bad. It was a brutal moment," he said.

"We're pretty sure it was the same knee he injured before."

JUST IN: England Lionesses stars in line for honours as Keir Starmer drops hint after Euro 2025 triumph

James Maddison

The midfielder left the field on a stretcher with his head in his hands

|

Getty

The Spurs star managed 45 appearances for the club last year, however missed the last four games of the Premier League season and the crucial Europa League final.

Maddison has previously missed two months of football with an ankle injury following his £40million transfer to north London in 2023.

The midfielder would have undoubtedly been a crucial component in Frank's plans, with the former Leicester man scoring 12 goals and assisting 11 last year alone.

READ MORE: Liverpool now expected to return for Alexander Isak but where does it leave Newcastle?

Spurs' failed pursuit of Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White also left more space for Maddison in the squad.

Fans took to social media to express their concern for the midfielder, with one fan writing: "Season over before it began."

Another said: "I'm scared of the injuries and pain these players go through. Get well soon, Maddison."

LATEST SPORTS NEWS:

Heung Min Son

The injury occurred during captain Son Heung-min's farewell match

|

Getty

A third added: "This is gonna be a big blow to Tottenham."

The injury overshadowed a farewell for Spurs legend Son Heung-min, who announced he was to be leaving the club after 10 years of service.

The South Korean achieved legendary status in north London after scoring 173 goals in 454 games at Spurs.

This was then solidified by Tottenham's Europa League triumph against Manchester United in May, the club's first trophy in 17 years.

"I came to north London as a kid, 23 years old, such a young age. I leave this club as a grown man, a very proud man," the winger said after announcing his decision.