James Maddison is AVAILABLE for Tottenham’s FA Cup tie against Man City on Friday, Ange Postecoglou confirms… with the Spurs star to return after almost three months out

Ange Postecoglou has confirmed Tottenham midfielder James Maddison is available for Friday’s FA Cup tie with Manchester City.

Maddison has not played for Spurs since November 6 due to an ankle injury, but has trained all week ahead of the fourth-round clash in north London.

‘From the last game everyone is OK,’ Postecoglou said at his pre-match press conference.

‘Deki (Kulusevski) has recovered from illness and the boys had four days off. Post that Madders has been training, he has had a full training week and is fine so is in a good place.

‘He is available and ready to start… when someone is available I assume they are ready to start.

Maddison, 27, has been out of action since November 6 after picking up an ankle injury

‘Whether they do or not depends on what I see with everyone else tomorrow and I usually make those decisions on game day. 

‘Like I said, the beauty of it is he’s got through the week really well and is ready to go.’

Postecoglou later confirmed Sessegnon is also unavailable with a hamstring injury, while Pape Sarr, Yves Bissouma and captain Son Heung-min are away on international duty.

Maddison has been a revelation since joining Spurs from Leicester City in June for a £40m fee.

The attacking midfielder has scored three times and added six assists in just 11 Premier League appearances.

Such was his form that Maddison was also named the Premier League Player of the Month in August as he helped Spurs to start the season with a 10-match unbeaten run.

However, during a fateful 4-1 defeat to Chelsea on November 6 – which also saw Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie sent off, along with injuries to Brennan Johnson and Micky Van de Ven – Maddison was forced off in first half stoppage time with ankle ligament damage.

The 27-year-old, who has become a regular part of England squads over the past 18 months, has been absent ever since.

Maddison is also officially the club’s vice-captain after impressing in pre-season, with the playmaker appointed by Postecoglou before he had even an appearance.  

Maddison, Spurs’ vice-captain, has proved to be an inspired signing by Ange Postecoglou

Postecoglou also confirmed Dejan Kulusevski would be available after recovering from illness

Spurs take on Man City in a daunting FA Cup fourth round tie on Friday night after they beat Burnley 1-0 in the third round.

It promises to be a tough ask, although recent history favours Postecoglou’s side, with Tottenham winning five and losing only three of the last 10 meetings between the teams.