Ange Postecoglou warns rivals ‘refreshed’ James Maddison is itching to make up for lost time as Tottenham star prepares to return against Man City after three-month injury lay-off

Ange Postecoglou has revealed James Maddison is ready to return in a big boost for Tottenham ahead of Friday night’s FA Cup showdown with Manchester City – and warned that the England star is itching to make up for lost time.

Maddison has not played since picking up an ankle injury during November’s 4-1 loss to Chelsea but has taken part in full training all week. 

Postecoglou described the 27-year-old as a dressing room ‘force’ on Thursday as he hopes for a comeback as impactful as when Kevin De Bruyne returned for City to secure a 3-2 win at Newcastle two weeks ago.

‘You wouldn’t know that he’s missed so much,’ Postecoglou said of how Maddison trained this week. 

‘The quality is there straight away. Everyone notices it. He’s looking good physically. 

Maddison has had to cheer from the sidelines since picking up an ankle injury in November

‘He’s the kind of guy who will want to make up for lost time and make an impact straight away.’

City have lost all five of their trips to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, failing to score in every game despite 84 shots on goal in total. 

Son Heung-min is still away at the Asian Cup with South Korea and it remains to be seen whether Maddison will be deemed fit enough to start on Friday night, with Spurs recently sending him to Dubai with a physio so he could undergo rehab in a different environment.

‘It was tough for him,’ said Postecoglou. ‘Because he does love his football, he loves the environment of football clubs, he loves the dressing room.

‘He is kind of a force within that. It’s hard for all players when they’ve got to go through rehab, especially a character like him. 

‘We did send him away in the middle of it. We felt it was good for him to get away with his family. 

Ange Postecoglou is thrilled with what he has seen from Maddison (left) ahead of his return

The player managed to reset away in Dubai where he rehabbed his injury alongside a physio

‘We sent a physio with him. That helped bridge that time. When he got back from that, he was refreshed.’

Postecoglou was also asked about Joe Lewis and whether him pleading guilty to insider trading in a US court will have any bearing on Tottenham. 

‘That’s about seven galaxies outside of my universe, mate, and that’s the truth,’ the Spurs boss said.