Tottenham's Maddison suffers season-ending knee injury

LONDON, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- Tottenham Hotspur's England international midfielder James Maddison faces missing nearly all of the coming season after the club confirmed he has suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate knee ligament.

Maddison suffered the injury shortly after coming on as a substitute in the 86th minute of the pre-season game between Tottenham and Newcastle United in the South Korean capital of Seoul on August 3rd.

The 28-year-old pulled up off the ball and had to be carried from the pitch in tears and was later photographed leaving the ground on crutches.

Tottenham confirmed the extent of the injury on Thursday, explaining that "we can confirm that James Maddison will undergo surgery for a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee," on the club website.

"His surgery will take place in the coming days, and following that, James will then begin his rehabilitation with our medical team. Everyone at Tottenham Hotspur wishes James a full and speedy recovery. We will be supporting him every step of the way," concludes the communique.

The injury is a blow to Maddison, who missed the last two months of last season, including his side's Europa League final win over Manchester United, with another injury in the same knee.

Spurs will hope that Ghana international Mohammed Kudus will be able to cover for Maddison's injury following his signing from West Ham United. ■