Tottenham have received a timely boost as midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur is reportedly ahead of schedule in his recovery, while James Maddison is also pushing to regain full fitness before the season ends.
Injury concerns at Spurs are starting to ease as the team prepares for the resumption of domestic fixtures, though new manager Roberto De Zerbi still faces several important decisions regarding player availability for his first match in charge.
The upcoming trip to the Stadium of Light is likely too soon for Mohammed Kudus, who has been out since January with a serious muscle injury. Speaking before his departure, Igor Tudor provided an update, suggesting Kudus could begin reintegrating with the squad roughly 10 days after the international break. While an exact return date is still uncertain, Tudor confirmed the forward is progressing well and has already resumed light ball work.
Kudus might be available for the home game against Brighton next week, with goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario also nearing a comeback. Meanwhile, Mathys Tel is expected to be fit for the Sunderland fixture.
Tudor also shared encouraging news on James Maddison, who has been posting clips of outdoor training and could play a role before the season concludes. Bentancur, sidelined since hamstring surgery and missing Tudor’s tenure entirely, is also showing positive signs.
Tottenham injury outlook – Expected return
Mathys Tel: Within days
Pape Matar Sarr: 1–2 weeks
Guglielmo Vicario: 1–2 weeks
Mohammed Kudus: 1–2 weeks
Yves Bissouma: Unknown
James Maddison: May
Rodrigo Bentancur: April
Ben Davies: Unknown
Dejan Kulusevski: Unknown
Wilson Odobert: September
Bentancur’s early progress has raised hopes he could feature before the end of April. Reports from Football.London indicate the Uruguay international has already resumed light grass training and has participated in some squad sessions. According to his personal fitness coach, he is roughly two weeks ahead of schedule.
This news will be particularly welcome for De Zerbi, who, according to Alasdair Gold, is likely an admirer of Bentancur’s qualities. While the midfielder can be polarizing, his experience in possession-based systems—most notably at Juventus, where he won three Serie A titles—could make him a key figure under De Zerbi. Despite occasional inconsistencies, Bentancur’s ability to control the midfield and link play could prove invaluable.
The 28-year-old, earning £75,000 per week, signed a long-term deal with Tottenham in October and had been a regular starter before his injury, recording:
20 appearances
1 goal
1 assist
1.9 tackles per game
1.1 interceptions per game
37 passes per game
De Zerbi’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, previously used at Marseille and Brighton, would allow Bentancur to partner with a more technical midfielder in the deep-lying roles, maximizing his influence at the heart of Spurs’ midfield.
