JAMES MADDISON will be back on TV screens this week – but not in the way we’re used to seeing him.
Maddison usually lets his feet do the talking as an attacking midfielder for Tottenham and England.
But the devastating ACL injury he suffered in August put a stop to that – and Spurs fans may not see him at all this season.
So it’ll be Maddison’s mouth doing the talking on Monday as he prepares to take to the Sky Sports studio.
The 29-year-old will appear alongside Jamie Carragher for Sky’s coverage of Wolves vs Manchester United.
Maddison has long been touted as a footballer with the personality to pursue a media career when he hangs up his boots.
The Coventry-born star is comfortable in front of the cameras and a good talker – often taking on interview duties after Spurs games.
And this will be a good test of his punditry capabilities as he continues to grind his way back to full fitness.
ACL injuries typically come with a nine-month recovery timeline, meaning Maddison should be there or thereabouts in May.
The odds of making Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad for the tournament in June are therefore stacked against the former Leicester playmaker.
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But Maddison insists that if he is forced to miss out, it won’t be through a lack of effort.
He told FourFourTwo: “I’ve just been working hard every day – head down, grit my teeth and get through it.
“I can’t wait to get back fit – I’m so hungry, I’m working so hard.
“The medical team at Tottenham have been amazing, the manager, all the coaches, everyone has been very supportive, and like myself they all can’t wait to see me back on the pitch.
“I have to get my knee right, feeling good and feeling strong, and the rest will take care of itself, like it always has done.
“I just can’t wait to be back doing my thing for Tottenham, proving myself and getting back to that level.”
