Tottenham injury boost as £40m star eyes stunning return against Manchester City

Tottenham midfielder James Maddison is in line to return against Manchester City in the FA Cup this Friday after stepping up his recovery. The former Leicester City man has been training with the team since they returned to Hotspur Way earlier this week after a four-day break. 

He sustained an ankle injury in Tottenham's chaotic 4-1 defeat by Chelsea in the Premier League last November but the England international is now hoping to play a part when Pep Gaurdiola's Manchester City visit north London. 

Spurs boss admitted the £40million signing from Leicester in the summer was improving before the club started posting pictures of him in training on their social channels. Postecoglou told the press after the 2-2 draw at Old Trafford: "He's getting closer. He hasn’t trained with the group yet. Obviously after Man United, we've got two weeks and I’ll be hoping between the two Manchester games he's back training with the first team as long as there are no setbacks in that two-week window." 

Pushed on the exact date he expected the midfielder to return, Postecoglou said: "No idea [if he'll be fit to face Manchester City in the FA Cup], we'll see. It depends when he starts training. If he starts training early next week, potentially, but then again you have to see how they train with the first team, how they feel. I think we've got three games in that week after the Man City game so I'd hazard to say he should be.... He and Manor Solomon are the next two that should be fairly close after that provided there's no setbacks."

The England international has played 11 games for the Lilywhites and has scored three while assisting five times already. Spurs are still without club captain Son Hueng-min and African duo Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr due to the ongoing Asian Cup and AFCON.