Ange Postecoglou has wildcard James Maddison replacement option after Tottenham injury update
James Maddison will not be part of the England squad for their upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers following confirmation from Tottenham on Friday morning. Sustaining an ankle injury in Monday's 4-1 defeat against Chelsea but selected by Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate for the Malta and North Macedonia games, the attacking midfielder was only in the squad a matter of hours.
A statement from Tottenham on Friday read: «We can confirm that James Maddison has been withdrawn from the England squad due to an ankle injury. The midfielder will not feature in the Three Lions' UEFA Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia, and will remain at Hotspur Way for rehabilitation with the club's medical staff.»
Perhaps no shock to Tottenham fans, the injury update on the player means that Ange Postecoglou will have to find a replacement for Maddison ahead of this weekend's Premier League clash at Wolves. The 58-year-old does have a couple of options to choose from, most notably Giovani Lo Celso and Rodrigo Bentancur.
The former is perhaps the more suited to taking on Maddison's role and he himself will have his fingers crossed that he is the one selected after such a frustrating campaign to date. Wowing for Tottenham in pre-season and certainly one of the team's best players in the summer upon his return from 18 months with Villarreal, a combination of Maddison's form and injury has restricted him to only 24 minutes across two Premier League appearances.
Appearing to be Maddison's alternative in the squad, Lo Celso will be desperately unlucky if not selected in the Tottenham XI at Wolves. If he isn't, Bentancur could be the player that comes in and is tasked with linking up midfield and attack.
Returning to the pitch at Crystal
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